Network

[tookashirototheknee]

[The gear turns on to an extremely cheerful Spheal rolling back to his Trainer and chattering. On screen is a messy-red-haired individual in their early twenties with a scar on his left cheek.]

Oh, so that's how it works. Um. Hi, everyone. Kerberos thinks I need to introduce myself to everyone, I think. I'm Matt, and I'm not entirely certain what I'm doing here. So, uh, I think I need to find somewhere to go that's not wander down the road for ages.

Anyone have any tips for a poor lost new person?

Comments

video; 1/2

[shiro2hero]

[For a second there, it's just a big, purple face. Since October, someone has been keeping his network presence... well. Low. Hence why Haunter (who is actually a Gengar now) has been taking over its trainer's 'gear. That purple face scowls for a second, thoughtfully, tapping its chin with a stubby claw.]

[It blinks, suddenly, and that thoughtful scowl turns into the broad, trademark Ghost Grin. It holds up a claw -- Hold on! -- and darts away, letting the 'gear fall into what looks like a pile of sand.]

-- what are you doing? Can't you just bring it to me?

[So asks a tired voice in the background. Drawing closer. The 'gear is lifted. Turned around with one of the ghost's fingers in the way of the lens for a moment as it tries to frame...]

[Shiro. Standing expectantly on a porch with eyebrows raised.]

What am I looking at here, Haunter?

video;

[shiro2hero]

[It takes him a second to process this. To process what he's being shown. And... just goes pale.]

Matt...?

[As, in the background, Haunter the Gengar makes a Ta-daaaa sound.]

[tookashirototheknee]

Shiro! Hi!

[Matt grins, waving, and Kerberos chitters behind him, rolling a bit in excitement.]

Man, it's good to see someone familiar.

[shiro2hero]

[What...? How? How does he answer this? He's standing stupidly on the porch of the house, the teens inside... and... there's Matt Holt. His hair is longer, there's a mark on his face that wasn't there before. But still. Acting like they've just seen each other last week.]

[When the last time he'd seen him was -- ]

Where.

Where are you?

Video

[dreamsofahero]

Sion Astal; it's a pleasure to meet you.

*because it's only polite to match introductions!*

As for your question, do you have anything in mind you'd prefer to start with?

[tookashirototheknee]

You too, Sion!

[Matt is smiling and waving over the communication.]

Um. Well, I'd like to figure out something to do, and figure out what's going on a bit.

[dreamsofahero]

Well, if you have anything in particular you'd like to know first, I could certainly answer those questions... Or if you'd prefer, I have a guide of sorts I made that covers most of the basics.

[tookashirototheknee]

That would be fantastic, actually! The guide, actually. I'd rather not go wandering around like an idiot.

[He shrugs just a bit.]

And to be honest, I'm not even sure what questions to ask to start out.

video;

[notvaljean]

[All Spheals are cheerful, and the one who has stolen his trainer's gear to chatter at the other Spheal is no exception. Hello! Hello, new friend! You are a Spheal! He is also a Spheal! Very happy to meet you!]

[tookashirototheknee]

[Kerberos waves a flipper and bounces a bit. Hello, friend! My new big friend is awesome. And a little silly, but awesome!]

[notvaljean]

[Oh yes yes yes, he understands this! His Dumb Narrow isn't always very smart, but he's a good trainer! He saved Fat Ice Dog from a tide pool that he rolled right into and then couldn't get out!]

Fat Ice Dog, what are you doing?

[The Spheal barks happily and surrenders the communicator to roll in circles around Jean's feet.]

Hello? He wasn't bothering you, was he?

[I mean... how can you possibly be bothered by a Spheal? Jean questions your judgment if you are.]

[tookashirototheknee]

[Kerberos chatters a bit more, then rolls the communicator back to Matt, holding it up.]

Kerberos, what... oh, hi! Sorry if he's a bit... overenthusiastic. I think everything is just awesome to him. Poor guy had been in his ball for a while, I think. I'm... stupidly fond of him, though.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Two things, if nobody else has said them yet:

ONE: don't try to climb the ledges.

TWO: don't eat the berries.

You'll know the ones I'm talking about when you see them.

Just don't.

Not even once.

[tookashirototheknee]

Never been that big of a fan of berries, but thanks for the advice!

Do I want to know why we can't climb the ledges?

[foolishwren]

Many have asked that question.

And many have tried to climb the ledges and wound up flat on their back in the middle of the freaking wilderness wondering how they got there and why they feel like a mountain bitchslapped them directly into the ground.

[video]

[meteorman]

I'm curious: did you choose the name for the moon, for the three-headed dog, or for the network protocol?

[Priorities.]

[tookashirototheknee]

[There's a huge grin on Matt's face. Someone knows his moon!]

The moon, of course! Because he's ice. And round. And yes, I know Kerberos isn't that round, but it's the principle of the thing. I, er, have a fondness for it. The moon, I mean.

[meteorman]

Oh, no, I completely understand. I named my Clefairy Phoebe for Saturn's moon and that one is hardly what I would call a model of spherical perfection.

Why Kerberos in particular?

[Like. Of all the moons.]

[tookashirototheknee]

Personal connection. Back home, I went on a science exploration mission to Kerberos.

[Before he got abducted by aliens]

I've done a lot of research that that little moon.

video

[rediscover]

Hi! I'm Anna!

[Have a wide smile and a cheerful wave from a redheaded girl with a Gothita in her lap!]

I like your Spheal, he's really cute! I think my best tip is to take advantage of the Pokécenters as much as possible...they're really helpful and you can even spend the night there if you're in a bind!

[tookashirototheknee]

Well, that's definitely useful, thanks!

[Matt makes a sheepish face while Kerberos rolls a bit in glee at the compliments.]

I've had to sleep in some pretty... awkward places before, so it's not too bad, but knows there's at least a roof helps.

[rediscover]

No problem at all!

[Anna giggles at Kerberos's antics, and then pulls a quizzical face.]

Awkward, huh? Like...a bunk bed?

Video; Probably a biiiit after the Shiro thread?

[schachmeister]

[Ah, so this is the Matt Shiro told him about. The one he immediately left to go pick up. That Matt.]

I'm Armin. I'm a friend of Shiro. He's... told me a bit about you.

I know he's left to come pick you up, but until he gets there, I can try and answer any questions you might have.

[tookashirototheknee]

Hi! It's good to meet you!

[Matt smiles, running a hand through his hair for a moment.]

Honestly, I don't even know where to start. Most of the questions I have are, uh, more scientific than anything. Like... how do these balls even work?! They make no sense!

[schachmeister]

I wish I could tell you. There is barely anything to find on pokeballs and how they work. Just a bit on their history.