victory_road | 2nd Recipe [Olivine City, Video]

[It's definitely evident in this video that Jane's begun to settle in to the world of Pokemon. She's got her 'gear propped up so it can film her as she sits cross-legged on a bed (obviously in the Olivine Inn, for anyone who's ever stayed), backpack leaning against the pillow behind her, and she is all smiles.]

Hello again! This is Jane, for those of you who didn't see my, erm...grumpy introduction a few weeks ago. But yes, ah, so! I'm alright, my friend Dirk managed to pick me up on Route 31 and now I'm staying with him and some of our...relations, I guess you could call them, in Olivine City! It's really beautiful...but then again, this whole region is full to bursting with plants and people and Pokemon...

[She pauses, having caught herself gesturing as she spoke so excitedly, and blushes.]

Um, anyway. Pokemon - lots of types. That's what I wanted to talk about. I'm from a world where Pokemon was a video game that children played, but they only had 151 species. It's grown very apparent to me that there are lots more than that around, and I was wondering if anyone on here could give me some...opinions, I guess, on what kinds would be good to catch. I've heard we can talk to the Psychic ones, which would be so interesting to experience! But I also want to make sure I've got a balanced team, I've heard that is a very important thing to do, especially if you want to challenge the gyms, and...[She shrugs.] Well, it doesn't seem like you can travel with practicallity anywhere without some gym badges, and the closest one to me is a...Steel type gym, I think. So, for starters, I know I'll need to train a LOT just to get ready for the gym, but if I had something with a type advantage, I figure that would help heaps. For reference, I have an Audino and -

[She's cut off by the click and creek of an opening door, and soon a Kricketune toddles into view, forlorn as he climbs up on the bed to flop into Jane's lap. His mustache is a total mess and there are bits of green berry smashed all over his face, and Jane lets out a small gasp of surprise.]

Oh, Poirot, what happened? I thought you were playing with Dinah - wait...she didn't, did she?

Tuuuuuune...

[She shakes her head and tsks, reaching into her backpack for a small wooden box and a towel.]

Oh, it figures she'd do that! I'll give her a talking to when she comes in - ah, wait, hold on.

[Jane sets the things down and leans over, smiling sheepishly into the 'gear. As she talks, the Kricketune watches her and pales, hiding his face in the bedspread and groaning in mortification. She's talking into the thing, that means people can see how undignified he is doesn't it???]

Sorry about this! Um, anyway, if you've got suggestions for what kind of Pokemon I should catch, please let me know! I'll be able to respond once I've taken care of this poor fellow.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The question is a little strange for Jane - she doesn't know this person, and hadn't exactly broadcast the existence of Sburb on the network, just talked about it with a couple of others - so forgive her if she blinks, pausing for a moment to find the right words to answer.]

Yes, I am. Who...do I have the pleasure of speaking to? And, are you doing alright? Pardon me for asking, but you don't look like you've slept well.

[To her credit, it takes Ashley about five seconds to realize this line of questioning is not only out of nowhere but more than a little invasive? And, you know, that she looks a little out of it.]

Oh- Oh, really sorry, that was dumb- um, I'm Ashley? And I'm fine, just a little tired. Uh, writing hours. I- I'm friends with Dave and Karkat and...your little group, basically. The last few times when someone from your neck of the woods showed up, I've tried to help welcome, 'cause, you know, your fonts? But, I've been, ah, preoccupied.

[Jane nods slowly as the other girl speaks, listening carefully and, admittedly, being put somewhat at ease. Oh, okay it's Dave and Karkat's friend - from her interactions with both of them, they do tend to talk, so of course the subject of "hey so what was your home like" was bound to come up with a friend. Yes? Yes. But, fonts...okay. Like the color?

It's a little disjointed, but Jane thinks she's got the gist when she responds.]

Ooh! Okay, I see - sorry for being a bit, well, abrasive? I was just startled is all. [She waves a hand.] Let's consider it water under the bridge and I'll start over.

[Ahem!] It's nice to meet you, Ashley! My name is Jane. I'm afraid I've never kept "writing hours" but I'll assume they don't allow for a lot of rest. How long have you known our little circle?

Edited 2016-08-17 02:23 (UTC)

No, no, I understand completely! I would've done the same. [...been abrasive? Ehh, let's just, go forward, press-on.

Ashley puts on an awkward sort of smile.] Ahm... I met Dave the day I got here? He was really helpful, making sure I wasn't freaking out, or...how long ago was that? It was February, so... [Quick math.] Six months ago? ...Six months ago.

[It seems she's just realizing she's been here for six months. Oh well, something to think about another time.] And, um, I just kept in contact with him, and met Jade, Karkat when he got here, uh John [a little more awkward that one] and Dirk.

[She doesn't know what else to call it right now. Give her some time and she'll sort it out properly beyond a kneejerk "what the fuck" reaction.]

Oh wow...I'm glad he was able to help you out! I know I would've been in a lot of trouble if Dirk didn't reach out to me. I'd probably still be walking and trying to spread out my rations like crazy.

[A pause. She caught that awkward.] "Uh John"?

[Eeeehhhhg, Ashley's face just. Falls a little. She shrugs, trying to make it look like no big thing.]

Oh, um. We just...got off to a kind of rocky start. [ie. got into a text-yelling fight his first day] So it's a been a little weird every time I've seen him? We patched it up, but, you know. Lingering off-ness.

[A grimace.] Ooh. Oh, dear. Yes, I know that kind of feeling quite well. Hopefully it'll dissipate soon.

[Shaky unsure smile!] I probably just need to spend more, uh, time with him... B-but enough about him, what about you? You're Jane, you said, right? I didn't hear about you from Dave or Karkat...so you have to be one of Dirk's friends! Am I right?

[Yeah we can uh. Talk about John later? Jane gets on fine with him, but that's probably because pranking each other comes as easy as breathing.]

That's right! Dirk is one of my dear friends. Him, Roxy, Jake...[She hesitates for a moment. Yeesh, does...Jake even still want to be her friend? She won't know unless she speaks to him, which doesn't seem like it'll happen anytime soon.]

Ah, well, yes, it was the four of us in our instance of our "worlds", as you put it.

[Can YOU help him understand to respect the institution of romance, Jane? ...She should not ask for miracles.]

I guess we could call them "universes" too, or "dimensions," everyone just said world when I showed up and it stuck like a spider web. [She shrugs.] Ahm, but, that makes sense! As to, why I hadn't heard about you from Dave. He's talked my ear off about...everyone, but if you're from Dirk's neck of the woods.

[A little smile.] Well, I guess it's just...someone new to get to know, you know? If you don't...mind that. I'm babbling. I'm, uh, I'm glad you've got one of your friends here, then! And that one of his is here, oh gosh, I know it must've been very strange for him.

[Hell no, she's failed in it herself.]

It was definitely more like "alternate universes" from what's been explained to me, but it's still incredibly weird.

[A nod.] Oh, yes, I don't mind at all! And I certainly am glad he wasn't completely alone when he got here...though, I am assuming the others got here before him, and that all the friendly folks here were able to help him out.

[Well yes, she's not asking for success in the subject, she's aware how difficult that is.]

Mm-hm! I think...Dave's been here the longest? When I got here it was just him and Jade, and he talked about her arriving, so. [Tiny shrug.] As you've experienced firsthand, tons of people are real helpful. ...When they're here for, like, years, I guess it's only expected.

[Who actually succeeds in romance? Where are these mythical unicorns??]

Yes, I keep running into people who count their time here in years. It's honestly kind of mind-boggling! But at the same time, I can't say I haven't done my best to listen to their advice. I...may not know exactly how long I'll find myself here, but I don't intend to be a slouch.

[Like, she hasn't failed at romance? Exactly? Look, she's like, a horse waiting for her second interview, okay.]

Haha, that determination... Oh, gosh, you were asking about, um...type match-ups, right? It completely slipped my mind. Which gym were you at again? I...only have three badges so I don't know how much help I can be.

[A shrug.] Aw shucks, I try.

I'm at the one in Olivine City right now. It's said it's a Steel-type gym.

2nd Recipe [Olivine City, Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]