Network Post 001

[freckledfocus]

[It's been two days since leaving New Bark Town, and Prompto is having some trouble with - well - a lot. Mostly with his Pokegear. Apparently, it has an aversion to prolonged exposure to mud and rain. Which wouldn't have been a problem if Prompto could build a proper shelter for sleeping... and if he didn't drop it so much when trying to take pictures of the creatures Pokemon he sees.

Hey, the gear is nothing like his camera from back home and he's trying really hard to figure it out.]

[Network]

Aw, c'mon! I've cleaned you like, five times in the past two days. I can't use up all my clean clothes before I get to Cherrygrove City and I haven't dropped you once today. M'still not totally sure how you work so I'm not gonna take you apart until I get to the city.

[The blond is sitting on the roadside, staring into the screen of his Pokegear as he tilts it back and forth, trying to look for any places he missed when cleaning it. He clearly has no idea that the fussy piece of equipment is now working and broadcasting his monologue over the Network. A small Eevee pops up onto the boy's shoulder and bumps her nose against the camera, smudging it a bit, and she chirps as Prompto starts laughing.]

Pryna! Tryin' to help me out, aren't you? Lemme jus' clean that up ... [Anyone watching is now treated to a view of his thumb as it furiously swipes over the camera before he sighs and undoes the black bandanna from his arm, using it to more fully clean the lens.]

There, that's better. Man, I still don't even know how I got here or anything. Or where here is. But at least I've got you, little one!

[Lavender eyes re-focus on the Pokegear and narrow as he notices it seems like the damn thing is working after all.] Crap. I-is this thing working? Did anyone hear ... all of that?

Comments

[Video]

[thenightsky]

...Prompto?

[It's said a bit hesitantly because, honestly, Noctis isn't completely sure he's not dreaming right now.

The Prince is staring at his 'gear with a wide eyed look, a Skitty perched on one shoulder and a lime green Espeon on the other. Both look a little confused and perhaps a little hesitant clearly just as unsure about all of this as their trainer is.]

Prompto you..you're here.

[Video] U GOT JACK'D

[seeingeyesteward]

[ Ignis turns his head when he hears Noctis speak Prompto's name at his gear. That voice was their lost friend's then. He moves to stand beside Noctis. Oleander was resting within his ball but Dahlia was quick to come to his side, the Audino wishing she were taller so she could see better. ]

Well, that was quick return. You've already forgotten how to use your gear as well I see.

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

Noct? I-Iggy?

[Prompto's voice is soft, full of disbelief yet tinged with hope. He didn't think he'd see his friends here in this strange place, and part of him feared this was an elaborate illusion, that he was still in Zegnautus Keep with Ardyn and that all of this was just ... a pretty lie.

Ardyn may have been able to mimic one face, but there's no way he can do two at once... right?

But what does Iggy mean? 'Quick return'? How can he come back to a place he's never been?]

Uh, hey guys. [He gives them a small wave, a tenuous smile on his face.] M'not sure how you guys got here before me, since we were all just in one of the dorms in that Keep, but I'm really glad to see you both.

[He ducks his head a little, unsure of how this next bit will go.] And - ah - Iggy? I ... I haven't been here before. I mean, I don't even know where here is.

[Video]

[thenightsky]

[Something's off..

Noctis starts to come to this conclusion as Prompto replies to them--Keep? What Keep?--but then he's specifically stating that he'd never been to this place before.

That's what hits Noctis hard.

Disbelief flickers across his face before it turns into something strained, the prince clearly fighting with himself as he glances off to the side.]

So you..don't remember. Being here, I mean. Any of it?

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

[Prompto doesn't miss the way Noct's face shifts, shock visible before he tries to hide it. Ever since befriending the Prince, Prompto's been really good at reading him and apparently even his time in Zegnautus didn't change that.

But... why does Noct look so ... disappointed?]

I - I've ... never been here. I-I'm sorry.

[Pryna winds her way around Prompto's shoulders, nuzzling his cheek as she can tell something's ... off. Prompto absently presses into her nose, grateful for the companionship of his little Eevee. He can tell that Noct is bothered - really bothered - by something.

Could ... could Noct not want him here? He can't quite manage to keep the dejection out of his voice and he winces as he speaks.]

I'm s-seriously confused now. Can ... d'you think I can meet up with you an' Iggy? O-or do you ... do you not want to see me 'cuz I'm not the Prompto you want?

[Video]

[yoyoboy]

[Well, he has no idea what is happening, but he is very curious at it.]

Yeah, I can hear you.

But do you need help about your PokeGear?

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

Nah, I just dropped it a few too many times. Been worried some of the dirt and stuff got inside. But I don't wanna take it apart until I'm around someone who may know how to put it back together if I can't figure it out.

Uh, I'm Prompto by the way. Kinda new here ...

[His voice trails off, not entirely sure where to go from here in the conversation. It's been a while since he's talked to anyone that isn't Noct, Iggy, or Gladio.]

Re: [Video]

[yoyoboy]

Yeah, I know a feeling.

[Not actually on his PokeGear, but with his MPCOM a few times in the past.]

I'm Tony Clark and I'm actually been here for many months now. So you might say I'm somehow an expert in this world.

[Actually, he only knew half of it, but it still counts if he stayed here for a while now.]

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

Months?! Is - Don't you want to get back home? Can we even go home? Or are we basically stuck here?

[Prompto is not sure how he feels about the prospect of being here indefinitely. His friends would surely notice his disappearance, right? Especially after just being reunited.

This place does look nice, inviting even, and these Pokemon are kind of cute. It's nice not to have to worry about Ardyn or the Empire or daemons, and apparently he does have friends here ... somehow...

It's too confusing to think about right now.]

[video]

[charcoalfeather]

[Um...]

You really care for how your Pokegear looks, don't you? [She remarks under her breath, before realizing that Prompto is... looking right at the gear, and potentially at her??]

Um, yes? Hello? I'm here!

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

N-no! I just ... dropped it a lot and I don't want it to be too dirty o-or have dirt get inside and mess it up.

I'm Prompto. Do you know what this place is?

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

Oh... well, that's good! Taking care of your stuff is important, especially your Pokegear!

[She's getting a bit ahead of herself though, isn't she? It hits her rather suddenly how new this person seems to be.]

M-My name is Rakka! And, uh, you're in the Johto region. Welcome to the... world of Pokemon?

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

Th-thanks! This is definitely nothing like home for me, though apparently some people I know are here so I'm gonna connect with them and try to figure things out...

[He's still confused, really confused, but he is going to get it together and get his butt to Cherrygrove.]

How long have you been here?

[Video]

[nolongeruseless]

Yeah... It broadcast all that. [He's honestly not entirely sure why he watched the whole thing, but there you go.] Are you new too?

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

[There's a light stain of embarrassment spreading across his cheeks, wondering how stupid everyone who saw that must think he is.]

Y-yea. I'm new. Name's Prompto and I have no idea how I got here. How 'bout you?

[Video]

[nolongeruseless]

[Not very, don't worry.]

My name's Midoriya Izuku. I don't think anyone really knows how we got here.

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

Isn't that kinda strange? Like, is there anyone that's actually from here?

[He can't imagine being in a place that has no original human inhabitants.]

Video

[bent_the_world]

We all heard it. That happens a lot around here.

But 'here' is probably Johto. Not that that likely means anything to you....

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

Johto?

Well, a-at least now I have a name for this place I guess. An' I hope everyone enjoyed the show ...

[Video]

[bent_the_world]

That's the region everybody shows up in. There's other ones, you can take a ferry to Kanto or go to the islands...

It's all pretty confusing at first, but you'll get the hang of it.

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

There are islands and stuff?! That sounds like some great photo opportunities! Sounds like you've been here for a while. A-anything you can tell me about Cherrygrove? That's where I'm headed...

[Pryna starts chirping, and tugs at Prompto's pant-leg off screen. They're walking too slow! Prompto stumbles a bit, but manages to right himself and give a sheepish smile to whoever this is he's talking with.]

[Video]

[garbagechild]

You probably shouldn't take it apart.

It's fun at first, but then you have to put it back together, and that's much harder.

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

I'm pretty handy with tech stuff, but I've never seen this before and I really don't want to mess it up or break it.

You ever tinker around with yours?

[Video]

[garbagechild]

Oh, yeah!

I took all the pieces apart once.

Then I got yelled at because it turns out that's how you break it.

[Video]

[freckledfocus]

So you couldn't put it back together, huh. That stinks. How did you save enough to buy a new one? These things can't be cheap.

[This kid seems like an interesting one, and definitely a kindred spirit when it comes to tinkering with things.]

I'm Prompto, by the way. What's your name?