[Video]

[outtahere]

[Banzu comes on, having made an effort to look semi-presentable, which in this case means running a hand through his hair and putting on a clean shirt (in dark gray) and jacket (in black). No hat, tie, or waistcoat as usual, so he's kind of under-dressed for this, but it's better than nothing. The Warp Band seems to have been placed on something, since it's filming from about head height as he sits in a chair.]

Morning, everyone. I'm Banzu.

["Morning" being around 11:30, but it technically counts.]

By now I'm sure you've all heard about the island that was discovered recently, and you've prolly heard from the people who've been that it's a really nice place. Trouble is, if you ain't bonded with a Pokémon that can carry you there or know someone who has, you can't get there. I've got a solution to that.

[He reaches for the Warp Band and turns it to show a miniature steamboat floating in a large glass punchbowl of water sitting on his cleared-off workbench. It may surprise some viewers when they notice that the boat is made of metal. Science!]

This is a model of a boat that can safely carry people to and from the island. Not just the island either; when it's done I'll make it available to groups that wanna search for other islands or go farther along the coast. [For a reasonable fee, of course.] Since the water near the shore won't be deep enough for it, I'm going to have to build a small facility on the coast to be able to build and use it, otherwise people will have to swim out to it just to get on. If you're thinking this sounds like a big job, you're right. That's why I'm looking to hire help gathering materials and for construction. If you or anyone you know'd be interested, get in touch with me.

[He pauses to give everyone time to digest that before continuing.]

But since I'm building this place anyway, I wanted to make a suggestion to everyone:

What if we set up a permanent settlement on the shore?

This is more than just making it easier to get to the island, this could open up a lot of possibilities: a safe place to fish would bring Union more food, a permanent research facility would let researchers find out more about Pokémon that live in the sea, extra protected space would let Union grow its population, and a settlement this close to Union would make good practice for building settlements that're a lot farther away. I bet a lot of you could come up with other things to do with a settlement like this. Building this facility is one thing though. Building an entire settlement is beyond what I can do. There's a ton of details and questions I don't know to ask, and questions I know to ask but not the answers. For example, would a settlement need walls? The guys from Team Evolution say they don't have any; can we do the same without using their methods? Can we clear and secure a route between Union and the settlement so that people who aren't trainers could get there safely? That's something for the Rangers to answer. I'm gonna build this boat no matter what, but it'd be easier to build and use with a permanent settlement on the shore and it could be good for everyone to have it. This could be the first step into expanding beyond the walls. Start thinking about it.

For now though I'm looking to hire people to help me get iron from the mines, that stronger wood from the island, and some regular wood from the forest. I'll be looking to hire people to help me build stuff once I've got materials too. Anyone who's interested lemme know.

[He reaches for the camera.]

Banzu out.

[The video ends.]

[OOC: The plotting post for this is here. There will be a log for gathering the regular wood and logs for the other two if people want.]

Log: Ruins Investigation (backtagged to March 18th)

[kaidont]

Log Deputy: Tonake
Participating Characters: Kaido
Plot Description: With proof of people outside Union, and trainers roaming further and further away from the city, Kaido wants to investigate the ruins in the swamp before too many people explore them. His goal is to investigate the disappearance of two researchers a couple of years ago (Atsuro's parents), determine whether they actually made it to the ruins, and whether there's a chance of them still being alive.
Warnings/Notes: Nothing aside from mentions of potential deaths.

( We have to go deeper )

01 | voice / action (open)

[ourlegends]

( voice )

Is it on?

[ That there, friends, is the sound of a voice who is a little more than confused and a bit beyond frustrated. See, this voice belongs to a girl who has been wandering the Verdant Forest for about a week at this point. She's totally ready to be somewhere else, now.

Oh, and she's also still learning how to use the network functions of the Warp Band. Whoops. ]

I think it's on, Sam ... Uh, hi? Hello out there? My name is Hilda, and I'm here with my friend Sam. We've kinda been wandering around this forest for about a week now, and ...

[ Sam the Mareep bleats a little in irritation, in the background. ]

Yes, Sam, I know, you've said that before--

Anyway, we're a little lost. If we could get some help with directions to anywhere, that would be great. Really great. Thanks.

How do I turn this off again ...?

[ There's a bit of a sound of fiddling with it. Several moments of that, actually. Finally, it stops recording her. She'll get used to this sometime, really. ]


( action - open )

[ Now that that was done, she heaved a sigh. All there was to do now was to wait. Waiting made her restless, though, so she began to pack up her things. She made a gesture to Sam, who sat nearby. He gave her a look. ]

... Well? What use is it if we just stay here? It's not like we're going to get out of the forest any quicker.

[ Sam sighed. ]

Maybe not.

So then, we may as well wander around. Maybe we'll get lucky.

Like we have for the last week?

... It's not like it's been completely unfortunate. We met Stella!

[ There's a grin here on the girl's face as she tries to reassure Sam. Sam was usually pretty go-with-the-flow, but even he argued with his best friend sometimes. ]

Let's stay and wait.

No way, that's so boring ...

[ Would anyone like to come between the bickering pair? ]

[004 - Action]

[ember_celica]

[Yang is in a park in the business district, leaning against the wall of one of the towers. While she does, she's idly tossing a ball up into the air, doing some impromptu juggling. While she does, though, a baby Mankey is crawling around.]

Awright, Punchy!

[She cheers at him. He barely walks, before he stumbles over onto his face.]

You can do it! Learn to walk! Go go go! C'mon!

[And the Mankey... stumbles over. Again. Yang's grin turns sheepish.]

...'kay, so I guess cheering you isn't magically teaching you to walk well all the time. Good to know!

Tropical Island exploration sidequest

[at_too_low]

Log Deputy: Wighty (holsety)
Participating Characters: Atsuro, Kaido, Hiroshi
Plot Description: The Tropical Island seems to have strange heat-waves rolling in. From the distance, while surrounded by craggy peaks that deny access to most parts of the island it does appear to have some high mountainous area. Atsuro goes there partly out of curiosity, partly in search of materials for Good Rods, drags Hiroshi along with him because they're friends (kind of) and friends go out and do things together! Kaido is partly dragged along, partly decides to go himself out of concern for Atsuro and Hiroshi (that part is a secret).
Warnings/Notes: Nothing yet.

( Under the cut! )

001 ♣ video/action

[hidamari]

[video:]

Oh good, it's working! Everyone, say hello.

[Took a second for the video to start up besides the audio going through immediately, but it shows a young girl sitting on a bench in the park in Union. A couple of Pokémon are surrounding her, which are a Cleffa on her head, a Teddiursa in her arms, and a Kricketot peeking over her shoulder from behind. They all let out their own cries in response. The girl just gives a nice smile.]

I hope everyone is doing well on this fine day. I assume new trainers are suppose to introduce themselves to the public when they get their Warp Band, so I am here today to do that. My name is Alice Yotsuba.

Cleeeeffa! (Hii! I'm Hoshi!)

Ursu~! (I'm Lance!) [That "ursu" almost sound like he said his own name.]

Kriii. (My name is Weise.)

We just returned from a lovely adventure to the mountains where I met and bonded with Lance and Weise. It's always nice to make new friends these days, so we hope to do the same with other trainers and their Pokémon. Things are much calmer now, so I do have time for a few adventures. If anyone needs an extra hand or company, we will be happy to join you.

Until then, I hope you all have a pleasant week.

[A small nod before the recording ends.]

---

[action | in the streets of union/around the business district:]

[Just a casual stroll around the city, showing her brand new Pokemon friends the sights of Union. Finding a well-dressed girl with a parasol opened in daylight and a pack of Pokémon by her side is pretty common as noble girls with Pokémon walking around happens every day. They are heading towards the Business District, which someone has to help with family work before retiring home... Just simple check in's on how things are going, but finding her along the way is possible. Or spotting a young girl with her little Pokémon pack walking into businesses and speaking to various adults.]