[video]

[pidge_out]

[Unfortunately for the current residents of Johto, they might be unfortunate enough to find what might be one of the worst video feeds ever on the network. It seems to cut in and out at first, and even after it manages to stay on for longer than ten seconds, the video is really just... the world spinning endlessly. Ground, leaves, sky, ground, leaves, sky -- Occasionally a tree is visible for half a second and the direction of movement seems to change, but other than that, it's an endless loop of ground-leaves-sky.

It might eventually be obvious that the camera appears to be attached to something that is rolling quickly down a hill. It probably helps that the entire feed is accompanied by the sound of what's clearly a Pokémon "hooting" over and over - rather excitedly, at that - and a voice somewhere in the distance. Pay close enough attention and the words being yelled out are things along the lines of--]

Wait!! Come back!! Just-- Spread your wings and stop rolling already!!

[Does that sound like a new trainer in need of help? That's probably because that's more less exactly what it is.]

Comments

[pidge_out]

I really don't think that's a good idea!

[Rowlet, on the other hand, thinks it's a great idea. And next time he bounces upward, he again spreads his wings and goes fluttering back toward Pidge with another excited trill.]

[maybeitsmabelline]

But your Pokemon does! Do it do it! ROLL WITH HIM!!!

[Come on, Pidge! Give in and roll! Roll like the bird!]

[pidge_out]

[Oh hey, the owl has actually come back. And he may not be landing or anything, but the fact that he isn't rolling down the hill anymore has Pidge attempting to slow down to a stop.

This is, however, a great chance to grab the PokéGear back. Which Pidge does.]

No.

[maybeitsmabelline]

You're no fun.

[Mabel puffs her cheeks up then blows out a breath, giving Pidge a thumbs down.]

Your Rowlet just wants to play! Mine was like that when I was here before! You should be nice to it!

[pidge_out]

[That gets an eyeroll in response. This girl is definitely not the only person in Pidge's life to say something along those lines.

Of course, the girl does say something else that's interesting. Which causes Pidge to blink curiously at her over the camera.]

"Rowlet"? Is that... what he is?

[maybeitsmabelline]

[It's obviously the truth, Pidge!]

Yeah! Scan it with your 'gear and it'll show you all the facts about it!

[MABEL KNOWS STUFF AWYEAH.]

[pidge_out]

[And it clearly doesn't bother her.]

Oh-- I guess that's what that other function is.

[TIME TO FIDDLE WITH THE 'GEAR.]

[maybeitsmabelline]

It can do a lot of stuff but it can tell you about allllll the Pokemon you catch or come across!

[Mabel grins widely.]

Like your Roll-y Rowlet! You can use it to message people and buy stuff and watch stuff and listen to the radio too!

[pidge_out]

[Pidge goes quiet for a second while messing with the PokéGear's different functions. Eventually the PokéDex function is found, and a quick point of the device in Rowlet's direction confirms what Mabel's already said. It makes Pidge blink, surprised and slightly impressed.]

Huh. So-- Identification, communication, GPS... I guess it must be connected to some giant network to be able to perform internet-like functions as well, right?

[Why Pidge is asking Mabel is anyone's guess, really...]

[maybeitsmabelline]

[Seriously Pidge. Why. Why would you ask Mabel.]

Yep!

[Mabel is just grinning still, assuming the other is right. Sounds right. Sounds like something Grunkle Ford or Grunkle McGucket would say so it has to be right.]

[pidge_out]

[Pidge will know better in just a few-- Now. Right now. So Mabel is getting such a look. Because Pidge recognizes that tone and that grin. It's similar to the one Lance gets when he hears Pidge and Hunk talk about tech.] ...You have no idea, do you.

[maybeitsmabelline]

[Mabel shakes her head.

Still grinning.]

Nope!

[pidge_out]

[Aaaaaaand there's the long suffering sigh of someone whose dealt with this kind of thing for way too long.]

Great.

[maybeitsmabelline]

Don't be like that! Just because I don't know how the 'gear works doesn't mean I don't know all about this world!! Last time I was here my brother and I went alllll over the place!

[Mabel smiles now, motioning to Little Dipper.]

He's just one of my Pokemon! I caught tons so I can give you lots of tips!

[Seriously. She tackled several, used a butterfly net on others. For her Spoink she even set traps with Dipper's help. She's a pro.]

[pidge_out]

"Caught"?

[Looks like no one's told Pidge about the whole "catch more Pokémon" thing just yet. So Mabel is getting another one of those curious looks.]

I'm supposed to catch more of these things?

[maybeitsmabelline]

You don't have to but that's kinda the thing in this world! Gotta catch 'em all!

[Mabel winks and strikes an idol pose similar to what Mari had showed up once upon a time before she pulls out a Pokeball and releases another Pokemon:

Hambone the Espurr!]

This is one of the ones I had the first time I was here! My Grunkle Ford took care of him while I was gone and sent him back to me! I tackled him in order to catch him!

[pidge_out]

[Pidge frowns a little. What in the hell kind of catchphrase is that...

And then of course a... funny-looking cat has to make an appearance, and Pidge can't help the way that frown deepens.]

...Somehow I don't think that's the way you're supposed to catch them.

[maybeitsmabelline]

No one said there were rules for catching Pokemon! Just guidelines!

[It's said in a sing-song voice, Mabel grinning up a storm as she throws her free arm around Hambone, jarring the camera in the process.

The Espurr happily let's himself be man-handled, waving slightly at Pidge in the process.]

Nets and traps and tackling totally work!~

[pidge_out]

[Perhaps the most unfortunate thing about this conversation... is that Pidge is absolutely the kind of person who would be willing to try that out. It actually kind of sounds easier than anything else.]

I'll keep that in mind.

[maybeitsmabelline]

If you need any help, let me know! Dipper and I are pros at this stuff!

[And not just at catching Pokemon! Monsters and weird creatures as well. Seriously, they've got this stuff on lock, Pidge.]

I'm Mabel, the way! Mabel Pines!

[pidge_out]

[A shrug and a slightly smile.] Sure.

I'm Pidge. [This is probably the moment they should be shaking hands, but alas. Network.] Nice to meet you.

[maybeitsmabelline]

Nice to meet you too, Pidge! [This makes you Mabel's friend now. Be prepared, Pidge.] Make sure to catch lots of awesome Pokemon and don't be afraid to act goofy with them okay?

[pidge_out]

[What?]

Why would I need to act goofy with them..?

[maybeitsmabelline]

So you build up friendship with them, duh!! Some Pokemon only evolve if they have high enough friendship with you so you should just be friends with all of your Pokemon and that means playing with them!

[pidge_out]

[Pidge is looking so skeptical right now. This girl is talking about friendship like it's just a number. And though reality would be a lot easier for Pidge if that were true, that can't be right.]

O...kaaay...