ohmyarceus | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER TEST DRIVE MEME

[The screen flicks on to show a very cheerful young man with big glasses in a red hoodie covered in patches. Some of them may be recognized as fandom related things, if you know the references- mostly video games. There's a Cutiefly perched on his shoulder. The radio tower in Lavender Town is in the background.]

Whats up, dudes? This place is the bomb! I got new pants, the music is gnarly, and everyone here is so chill and nice!

[Someone may be planning to stick around for the rehabilitation centers for a bit.]

Buuuuut. I hear there's some spookiness to be had. Just rumors. I mean, the graveyard is sure a thing but those are necessarily inherently spooky. If there's a ghost tour or something I'm missing someone tell me please cause your boy here is prepared for scares.

[The quiet serenity of New Bark Town was easily broken by the shrieks of someone freaking out. New trainer? Most likely. But, this one is a little different as a purple-haired girl is busy running for her life and up a tree as she was chased by a Ghastly.

But, it’s day time. Why would...? Unless...]

G-g-get back into your ball! Leave me alooooone!

[That’s her starter...]

[--the video feed snaps on like the worst case of shakycam you can imagine. Everything's a green-and-brown blur. Hope no one's got the volume up too high: BANG! BANG! BANG! it goes as the PokeGear is used the way God intended: to hammer a clothespin into the ground. It's the middle of the road, so this is proving to be a little difficult. Speaking of volume, you'd better have turned it down, because you hear a very noisy, very shrill laugh very close to that microphone.]

Eheheh! Git on in there, y'little skillet-lickin'--eh?

[The banging stops, and the PokeGear is turned around a few times. You glimpse a road, trees, and what looks like a sleeping bag slung over a clothesline that's strung clear across the road -- and a wall-eyed, toothless old hillbilly in filthy clothes and a beard that may as well go on forever. He's noticed that the light's come on. You can't see his face as he speaks, the camera's pointed up at the sky at a weird angle, but who else would this voice be coming from?]

...well, I'll be. I knew this here mallet weren't working right.

[The screen flickers on to the image of a young girl with mid-length bushy brown hair wearing a very serious expression and poised almost as though undertaking a job interview. Peeking over her shoulder is a green blob that seems to be trying very hard to get into the video.]

Good afternoon. My name is Hermione Granger. I was hoping that someone could direct me to the nearest library, as there are a number of topics that I need to look up quite urgently.

[The Solosis is now trying to push Hermione's head over and out of the frame so that it can be the star of the video. Hermione uses the hand not holding the PokeGear to push it back while she tries to stay focused.]

As you can see, it really is quite important. I'm currently in a town called New Bark, and I'm hopeful that there is a library close by. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[She's not even going to mention the music which is, if possible, even more distracting than the Solosis.]

Hey! Hey!

[The voice calls out from somewhere a little further back down the road. The source a small girl with long purple hair running full tilt to catch up with the person she'd spotted walking down the road minding their own business.

When she catches up, she pauses for a moment, leaning over to catch her breath before straightening up and grinning wide.]

You're a trainer, right? Awesome! [No, she's not even waiting for an answer.] Hey, wanna have a battle? I'm new around here but I've been dying to try it out!

action
[ ... isn't this a surprise. Akechi isn't necessarily complaining, but the overall experience of waking up here leaves a few things to be desired. Namely, the fact that it's kind of cold, and that--

... Nevermind. Ugh. Akechi'll just have to deal with that later. He has more things to worry about, anyway, including the fact that he has a companion. ]

Well, best to be on our way. Isn't that right?

[ He addresses the pokemon carefully, and he takes a good look around. There are quite a few people here... maybe it's you he addresses when he walks over. ]

Excuse me, could you answer a few questions?

network
[ So, Akechi's been here a good while, and he's gathered enough info to have several questions. It's fairly late at night, but he's sure that won't deter anyone from answering. ]

If you could change one thing about this place, what would it be? Personally, the music can be quite grating, especially when one is trying to think. Usually, I wouldn't complain, but I'm not one to appreciate my thoughts' being interrupted.

More than that, however, I've been--like most of you, I'm sure--inconvenienced by these Team Rocket members. Many of them are easy enough to defeat in battle, and yet they're particularly tenacious. It's annoying, isn't it? I imagine there's been action taken to hinder their activities, but they keep causing trouble for everyone here. But for every few weakling grunts, there are several stronger ones. It's interesting, isn't it?

... Pardon me, I rambled a bit there. Impressive feat, considering this is only text. Essentially what I'm getting at is if one were to go about taking care of the issue, how would you suggest doing so?

I realize it's a risk openly defying such a group of people, and I'm effectively painting a target on my back. But the risk will be well worth the reward, don't you think?

[Video: Violet City]

[It has taken a very long time for Lucina to figure out the Poke'gear with enough confidence that her message today is completely intentional! She sits with the 'gear set atop her backpack, somewhat tilted, and the Jangmo-o she had been so graciously gifted with is held in her lap, expression sour - someone is obeying orders to sit still under protest, it seems. Lucina herself...tries to smile, but the expression comes off more nervous than friendly.]

Good day. I...wanted to pose a question to everyone about a problem Anri and I have. [The Jangmo-o grunts, shutting his eyes.] You see...Anri likes very much to chew on things. I don't mind this, but no matter what I tell him, he will not stop chewing on one specific thing that should not be chewed on. [She shifts Anri into the crook of one arm and reaches out with her now free hand to take up her 'gear, shifting the view to show a gold diadem - one usually on Lucina's head.] I have explained to him many times how this is an important keepsake from my mother, and I offer him other things to chew, but he will not take them. I think he has gone out of his way to discard the toys I give him as well. Is there anything that might be better for him than my personal effects?

[With her question posed, Lucina places the 'gear onto the grass and...it takes her a good minute to figure out how to turn it off, so enjoy looking at her furrowed brow as Anri squirms and nibbles gently on her forearm to try and get free.]

[It took him a long time to figure out the gear. Of course it did. When did he do anything right? Never was still too often.

But he had the gear working now. He could reach out. What was he supposed to day though? Surely he would sound foolish to the people here.]

Fenn~?

[The fox--Fennekin, stupid Credence. It was a Fenniki--SHE. He was messing up so badly. Her little paw pressed against his hand to try and snap him out of it.]

Sorry.. I'm sorry. I.. I wanted..I don't know what.. I mean, I.. I think Mr. Graves sent me here.. he must have. Ma was .. she was angry so he must have sent me here to keep me safe for awhile. Maybe he found what he was searching for so now I'm here..

Or maybe he just.. didn't need me..

[There was a sheen in his eyes, distress sinking in with reality. The Fennekin put both paws on his hand now and gave a little shake.]

I don't know why I'm here I guess. Or where.. any help would be.. helpful. Appreciated I mean.. I can't even talk right.. I'm sorry. Thank you.

[He awkwardly smooths his hair down, glancing at the fox as if for validation that he did okay. The Fennekin bumps her head against his shoulder approvingly.]

[Network - Video]

[Hunk's screen clicks on, showing him wearing his green breeder's apron. There's a big smile on his face, and he pans the camera down and to the left a bit to reveal a group of six eggs.]

I did it! My first try at this breeding business, and I got so many! [An excited little chuckle escapes him.] I thought that this was going to be kind of hard, you know? Finding a pair of pokemon that like each other. Making some magic happen somehow... Which, also, not going to lie, I thought was going to be suuuuuper uncomfortable, but no! I just left them alone, went to bed, and tadaa! Future babies! I can't wait to see them hatch. Adorable little fire, or rock puppies! Of course, I don't think I will be able to keep all of them. So, if anyone is looking to get their hands on a Growlithe, or a Rockruff, hit me up! I'm not sure just what ratio we're going to end up with, but I guess that's part of the fun, right?

[Action]

[After spending a fun afternoon checking out the aquarium in Cerulean City, Hunk thought a nice walk over the Nugget Bridge with his Rockruff Shay would be a great way to end the day. Crossing over the bridge is no trouble, the pair enjoying the cooling breeze as dusk begins to settle in. It's only as they're heading back to the city that they encounter a problem.

Namely, a pair of rather rough looking dudes.

Shay growls at them and Hunk is quick to scoop her up into his arms. Taking a step back, he hears a sinister snickering from behind. A glance over his shoulder reveals another ruffian. The taller one in the front starts talking about needing to pay a 5,000 dollar toll if Hunk wants to pass.]

I, I don't have that much on me. Seriously, who would even be carrying that kind of cash on them? You're expectations of people and their money carrying habits are grossly over the top.

[That was probably not a smart comment to make. The trio begin to move closer, and Hunk definitely doesn't like the way they're talking about taking his beloved partner as payment instead. Wishing he had his armor, or his bayard, Hunk hugs the squirming Shay to his chest before he decides to do something probably not so smart.

Which is, use his bulk to his advantage and barrel through the two thugs in front of him.

It would be a great idea if he was in Yellow, facing down a pair of Galra fighters. Or even if he just had his armor. Wearing civilian clothing and carrying a twenty pound rock dog do little for protection. Thankfully, his plan does work, which leaves him now running down the bridge, yelling as the third guy begins chasing him.]

Aww, quiznak! Help! Someone help meeeee!!

[He never thought that he'd miss something as simple as a car. After a few days' worth of walking, just to get to the next place, and hopefully somewhere a bit more populated (seriously, when your town's population is less than the Garrison's enrollment, it's not going to be hopping with things to do.]

[However, what he didn't expect is a couple of Rocket thugs looming over him as he's trying to mind his own business, and threatening to take Kerberos the Spheal, who he'd been just starting to become fond of.]

[Right. He can do this.]

Kerberos! Ice Beam!

Action

"I did not sign up for this!"

[There's a man running for his life in a fairly stylish leather jacket, if it wasn't more than a little beat-up and covered in dust. In a world where he had a blaster on hand, or any kind of weapon, he might have been more willing to stand his ground against the Rocket Grunts that are chasing him. As it is though, he only has an under-leveled Zubat to defend himself. The Zubat in question is firing Supersonics and Absorb beams at the Grunts and their Pokémon from over the man's shoulder.

It's actually going much better than it has any right to, the sheer nuisance of a Zubat's attacks finally working in someone's favor. It's not going to hold the Rockets off forever, not without some backup.]

Network

[Finn's got the comm on, His Zubat, Rebel, is hovering protectively behind him. The Rockets probably aren't going to waste too much time on trying to drag him back to the base, he was only nominally part of the team for five minutes before he'd run like hell, but it was better to be safe than sorry in the Zubat's mind.]

So...I've got a question. What do I feed this guy? We weren't exactly allowed pets where I grew up, and even if we were I don't think strangely cute hawk-bats would have been one of them.

[Video]

...There's something I need to know.

[Oh boy. Dwyer usually doesn't start out his messages on the network with something like that. The sleepy teen is actually surprisingly alert today, or...well, not so much alert as he is visibly concerned as he turns his 'gear towards what was probably once a full traveling carafe of coffee. Now, all that remains is a few drops of the brown brew on the snow as the carafe sits there, upside-down and very likely empty.]

Can drinking coffee make a Wynaut sick...? I...don't know where Deere went...but I think this is their doing...and they're pretty small...and that was a lot of coffee...

[There's suddenly a cheerful Naut! from behind, and the 'gear turns quickly, Dwyer letting out a surprised yell as his Wynaut jumps right at his face. The 'gear falls off to the side, and if you look at the right side of the screen, you'll see Dwyer on the ground, Deere jumping up and down on his back.]

No...cut it out, please...stop it, Deere...

[Action]

[No matter what route you're on today, you're in for a surprise - there's a white-haired boy in his late teens stretched out on the road, backpack underneath his head and arms wrapped loosely around the Wynaut curled up on his chest as he...sleeps?

Yes, both the young man and his Pokemon are sleeping right there on the road. You could simply step over him, but it's kind of weird to just find someone sleeping out here like this, isn't it? Someone or something else may not be so considerate. Maybe you ought to try waking him up...?]

[Action:]

Well, this certainly wasn't the Temple and it definitely looked nicer than any of the abandoned buildings surrounding it. After a quick exploration of the room and packing up his belongings Orion decides to head out, because frankly none of this is what he signed up for.

While traveling through Goldenrod in an attempt to get his bearings, figure out what's going on and accept his situation, Orion can be found just about anywhere, trying to understand what exactly happened here.

"Great, great. This is fine, it's not even the weirdest thing I've been through." Someone might overhear him muttering to himself, "Finding out the gods are real and I'm supposed to step up to pledge my loyalty to Athena was weird enough, but this? It's like I got sucked into a video game, there's background music!" He does not seem pleased about that. The dorm room he woke up in and weekly allowance were a nice added touch. "Getting paired with a deer and a dog sounds like some kind of joke, ha ha, just like everything else about my life, why am I not surprised?"

In order not to raise suspicions he initially slips out of the Goldenrod base in Team Rocket apparel, but he does take a moment - once he's safe to do so - to change back into his regular clothes in order to explore undetected. Feel free to bump into him either way!

After some wandering around the city, Orion returns to Team Rocket in order to find out more of what's expected of him and his training. Although he wasn't thrilled about the info that he had gathered so far it was hardly the first time he'd wound up in a strange situation outside of his control, if he couldn't do anything about it he might as well play along for the time being. Considering his previous experiences, it's easy to assume there isn't a way out, and he might as well get used to this new situation for as long as he's stuck here.

[Network:]

After awhile, Orion will flip on the 'Gear, in his street clothes, looking about as annoyed as one can. "Okay, so this even the weirdest thing I've been through, but it's like I got sucked into a video game, there's background music!" He pauses before shrugging, "People probably complain about that all the time, huh? You can't really blame them though, it's a little ridiculous that there's music everywhere, it's like being in a mall. Only outside. Everything about this place is kind of creepy."

Edited 2017-12-31 19:27 (UTC)

ACTION. (somewhere with a fountain or some shit idk) pretend it's not winter

Spinel!!

[ The closest, nondescript town Mari has stopped in is a rest stop for both her and her companion. They've gotten the hang of the traveling thing-- that's EAAAASY kids stuff. She's a globetrotter, you know!

Er, she isn't. But she can pretend she is. Of course those little dancer's feet of hers need a break. Her starfish doesn't have feet but surely it needs a break too. She can only guess by how unruly the thing has become. Its jewel has turned a bazillion different colors and its arms have been a-wiggling all over the place.

Turns out that the bathtub at the Inn just wasn't enough for it.

SO CURRENTLY: Mari is putting up with a Staryu splashing about in the Local Fountain, upset with its living conditions and enjoying the bath it is taking. Collateral damage consists of soaking its trainer as she tries to hop on the ledge to wrestle it out. ]

Sweetie, you're causing a scene! Stoooop...!!

[ oh did you not want to get splashed with water, passerby? too late. ]

[ NETWORK ]

[ So, who wants to see someone who is completely lost on how to use legs on the network? Cos that's what you're getting today folks. The person in question is rather androgynous looking and a little round, wearing grey shorts and a white hoodie with orange circles. Evidently a Pokemon turned on the Gear as the trainer was trying to walk. Very badly.

They got the idea of 'put one foot down, propel forwards'. But did not seem to get the idea of lifting your foot up after you've gone forward. So fell onto their face, expecting...something else to keep them going. ]

How does Poe and Finn and Rey do this?? It's so much easier as a ball! [ There's a crackling of static that definitely sounds like snickering, prompting the person (now on the floor) to turn and give it a pout. ] You're still a ball! You're not allowed to laugh!

[ ACTION ]

Out in the wilderness of an early route, BB-8 set up a camp that night (at least they still had their lighter in their pockets) and stared up at the stars.

What had happened to them? What about the Resistance? Would...would they be able to find Poe and everyone else? They missed all of their friends... BB-8 gave a sad sigh. Could they even help like this? Humans were great yeah, but they were a droid. And it felt like they could do much more as a droid than as a human who barely walk. They couldn't help Poe pilot an X-wing like this!

At their side, their Voltorb rolled over and crackled at them. "I don't...can't you use binary? Any sort of binary? Then I could understand you."

Network; Video

Ellen Kurokawa | Suite Pretty Cure

Old Man McGucket | Subliminal Messages: The Children's Show | Network/Accidental Video | I Apologize

Hermione Granger [Network | Video]

Yuuki Konno - Sword Art Online (the good part)

Goro Akechi | Persona 5 | November and December spoilers possible

Lucina | Fire Emblem: Awakening

[Network]

Hunk | Voltron

Matt Holt | Voltron: Legendary Defender | S4 compliant