bravenewworld | ACTION

[Four Pokemon are playing around outside one of the houses in the Residential District. An oddly colored Smeargle is currently cheekily dotting the face of a Magnemite, while an Axew chortles nearby. A Metapod, meanwhile, has already been fully painted and seems to be quite proud of its new designs.

Meanwhile, a teenage boy with white hair watches them on the steps of his residence. A notebook is open, but he hasn't written anything in a while. Watching these Pokemon, he thinks back to how they joined him. He appreciates their companionship, but at the same time he's begun to realize something. In pretty much each case he can think of, it had been Takuro who had helped initiate the bond, not Hiroshi. Somehow, there was always a gap there, and Takuro seemed to be the one who always had to pull the two sides together. Even when he bonded with Hiroshi himself...

He's beginning to realize a fatal flaw. He doesn't really GET Pokemon, somehow.]

[VOICE ONLY]

[Yes, there's a video option now, but Hiroshi is too embarrassed by his request to use it.]

Excuse me, if I could have a moment of somebody's time? I am currently looking for someone with a great deal of experience in understanding Pokemon. I... am looking for someone to help me be a better trainer. If someone out there is willing to help out someone like me, could you let me know? ...I am sorry, I would rather not give my name before I get an offer for help. This is... not an easy thing for me to have to ask.

Thank you, and... sorry for any trouble.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[After a while, you get a very enthusiastic, young voice. Perhaps a little too enthusiastic.]

Hello! I don't know if I can say I have a lot of experience, exactly, but I think I know quite a bit about Pokemon! I'm still studying, of course... But I'd like to help all the same! Do you have anything specific you'd like to know?

Anything specific? ...Well, I guess for a start, I'm interested in how you know whether they like you or not.

Oooh, that's pretty easy! And, er, hard too, though. Most Pokemon you can bond with are a lot like people, you see! So it depends on the individual. I mean, of course they'll show some attachment if they like you - of varying degree, of course. Some might be openly affectionate and show they want to spend time around you, some will simply silently stay around you, some will tease you! It's important to take their personality into account... My Togepi acts somewhat coldly at times, and won't respond to any names I've tried to give her - but she still chooses to stay around me, and we can communicate when it's important-- so I think we're doing pretty good!

[The word you're looking for is "tsundere", Atsuro.]

But yeah, do you have some trouble with your Pokemon? Or is there one you want to Bond with, but don't know if it'll like you enough for that?

[Holy mother of info dumps, Batman!]

Ah... Well, I think the thing is the fact that one of my Pokemon seems to bond with my other ones better than I do. It's absurdly humbling.

[Sorry, Hiroshi, you're in for MORE info dumping.]

Hmmm... I can definitely see where your concern comes from! But it's also possible you are worrying too much. It's okay if you're not as active and sociable as your Pokemon! You just have to do the best you can. The most important part is not to lose your ability to communicate with your Pokemon! It's different for all trainers, and some talk very little or don't talk to their Pokemon at all - but that doesn't matter if they can understand each other without that!

Er, I guess what I'm saying is... You need to understand if you really have difficulties with understanding Pokemon, or if you just have a quieter way of approaching them!

I... would not say quieter, certainly.

[More like impatient and inadequate.]

I will bear this in mind, I suppose. May I have your name?

Sure thing! I'm Atsuro, always ready to help if you need me! And you are? It's okay if you still don't want to reveal your name though!

...Hiroshi. A pleasure to meet you, Atsuro.

[At least all he has to give is his first name. He never likes finding out how much people know about him already.]

Same here, Hiroshi! Oh, you know, one of my friends can actually talk to Pokemon, I can ask her for help or some pointers, if you want!

[If it helps, Atsuro hasn't figured out much about you yet, and he's just stupidly excited to probably make a new friend!! And talk a lot about Pokemon!!]

Can... actually talk to Pokemon? That might actually be useful, yes.

Her name is Mari! I can introduce you to her, if you want! Er, probably not right now, though-- but we could organize a meetup, probably! I think that would make things easier.

That could be useful, certainly. I suppose the main details will be up to you?

Well, unless you have any preferences for the meetup place and such. How many Pokemon do you have? How big are they? It'd probably be better to meet outdoors, I suppose...

Ah, four. Five if you count the egg. I caught a Magikarp a while back, but I, ah, chose to let it go for reasons.

[Oddly, it's not the uselessness of it. It's more the fact that for some reason, he doesn't really relish the idea of it eventually turning into a large, ravenous blue monster. Huh.]

A Magikarp... I probably could've taken it off you. Too bad we didn't meet sooner.

[Well, Kaido HAS been going on about getting a Water type... Sure, training a Magikarp is a lot of effort, but the result is more than worth it. Plus Atsuro's sure Kaido would love the evolution. He's all about big vicious things.]

But anyway, five is really a lot! I didn't expect you to have that much... Ah, but if you have an egg then it really is important we help you bond with your Pokemon more. It's a lot of responsibility. What about we meet at the Pokemon Habitat? There should be enough space, plus you could try to make friends with other Pokemon, too.

Yes, I admit there are, ah, more than I had originally expected.

[Considering how difficult it had been to even get the FIRST one...]

That might be suitable, yes. Perhaps we can meet around three tomorrow?

Of course! I'll ask miss Mari if she's alright with that, and we'll wait for you at the entrance. I'll try to get you a message if there're any changes!

ACTION

voice (and I love your naming choice for your Smeargle)

If it doesn't fit into the science theme it's the RPG Maker theme

Will there be a Misao? Or a Viola? Or more Ib characters?

And possibly some of the more obscure ones too if I can manage it.

I need to brush up on my indie horror rpgs studies. I played Corpse Party last

There's a ludicrous master list I can link to if you want

8D sure! Drop it into my inbox or something

:|b

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject