001 | Video, Route 29

[ghoststanning]

[The feed opens to a man on Route 29. He's wearing a strange jumpsuit with the name "Stantz" printed on the chest. While he's noticeably shivering, he's smiling and perks up even more when he notices that he's live.]

Hey so this thing does have communication features! This is amazing! I know people have been working on trying to make a workable video phone for awhile now but it looks like it's working perfectly, and so portable too! I've only been in this dimension for a few hours now but everything I learn about it is just amazing!

[Ray is about to continue before there's a gust of cold wind. He shivers even harder and goes to cover his face with one arm.]

So uh, does anyone know where the nearest Hotel is? This place is great but I don't want to freeze to death out here.

Comments

[video]

[styxiedust]

Nearest hotel would be the next town over, Cherrygrove. It might take you about three days to get there.

[Something vaguely concerns her about the sheer exuberance of this fellow.]

Err, is anyone with you? There's no Fire types there to catch, so your best bet would be huddling up in the sleeping bag and some other people.

[video]

[ghoststanning]

Three days?!

[Well that's... really bad news.]

Not with me. But I'm tough! [No he's not] If I can't find anyone I can just... cuddle Jackie for warmth!

[styxiedust]

[Cripes, who knew a grown-ass man could look so pitiable?]

Sorry, dear. I would send over my Charizard for added warmth, but unfortunately it would take him just as long to fly over as it would to get you to a town.

[Botan he doesn't know what that is yet.]

Err, big fire dragon. Very toasty in weather like this.

Cherrygrove has a nice spa once you get there, though. You might not want to leave.

[ghoststanning]

[The fact that he's made it through life this long is a small miracle.]

There are dragons here?! Wow, this place is amazing!

[He rubs one of his arms for warmth.]

A spa day sounds nice actually. I never got one back in New York, but with all this new free time and being stuck out in the cold for three days I might need it.

[styxiedust]

Oh, yes, Dragon types and dragon-y looking Pokemon, there's all kinds of mystical-looking creatures here that are perfectly normal for this world.

[Like the very pudgy pink blob with a star-shaped patch of white fur on its chest that she hoists up to the camera.]

Like this fellow, this is my Clefairy, Hoshi.

[Hoshi, being a cheery sort of blob, waves.]

[ghoststanning]

[Ray's eyes light up and waves back.]

Hello Hoshi! A Clefairy, huh? I'm guessing that means they're a sort of fae then?

[styxiedust]

Yep! They say Clefairy come down from the moon itself, and while I don't know if that's true necessarily Hoshi does like going out for moon-gazing.

Fun fact about Fairy types as well, they're not just cute, they take down Dragon types like they're nothing.

[Yes, they do.

And Hoshi looks quite proud of himself for being a dragon killer.]

like a day later

[neverstudied]

[By the time Venkman saw this video post, Ray had already replied to Venkman's own message. That was fine- they were able to talk and make sure they were both ok, Venkman yelled at Ray for not preparing for the weather...

But Venkman's still worried. And he also hasn't figured out that private messages exist yet. So he's just... commenting here.]

ray are you still alive

[ghoststanning]

[Good news, Venkman, you eventually get a text!]

PETE

THIS PLACE IS GREAT I FOUND A REALLY CUTE BIRD!

[neverstudied]

ok good you're not dead

is the sweater at least keeping you sort of warm

[He's just... not even touching on the bird thing yet.]

[ghoststanning]

A little!

I'm probably going to need to buy a coat when I get to Cherrygrove, however. 😥

But it's better than nothing!
How are you doing?

[neverstudied]

ray if i didnt just spend most of my money on this ferry i'd buy you a coat immediately myself

please do NOT freeze to death

I'm doing fine; I bought a scarf in a gift shop. my weird little cockroach is still sticking with me. some people on this ship keep trying to fight him with their animals but he runs away when he takes a hit :-/

[ghoststanning]

I'm not going to freeze to death, honest!

And aww, poor thing! 😭 I hope those people stop picking on him, he sounds adorable and I don't want anyone hurting him!

[video]

[paladinlost]

...This world is bringing in newcomers in the middle of December again?

[To think the whole place had behaved itself for a few weeks...]

You'll find no inns until Cherrygrove, which is three days away. In the meantime, have you perchance received a Fire-type as your starter Pokémon? Or perhaps met another new arrival who did?

[video]

[ghoststanning]

Uh.

I have Jackie, who is a Pumpkaboo.

[So no, technically.]

So this dimension normally drops people off during December? Huh, I can't help but wonder if whatever's sending us here has some malicious intent or something, or at least a sense of humor.

[video]

[paladinlost]

...Who will certainly be an excellent partner, but not quite what you need at the moment.

[Oh dear.]

The rate and regularity of arrivals has varied over the years, but they tend to take place every week or two. However, there had been no one new for about a month; I'd hoped this was a sign no one would be forced to face the cold so ill-prepared. As for the 'culprit's' intent... the Legendaries might know, but they're not telling.

[video]

[ghoststanning]

She is excellent! But I think I can rely just fine on a fire until I get to Cherrygrove... hopefully.

[But something else catches his interest.]

"Legendaries"? Are they some sort of rulers here?

[video]

[paladinlost]

Not quite. They're Pokémon so powerful, or with such rare powers, that they receive the same consideration as deities in this world. We've had to opportunity to behold quite a few over the years, though others are far more reclusive.

[video]

[ghoststanning]

That's even better! So some Pokémon in this world are gods?! What are they like?

[He is mostly asking since... his One encounter with a god almost got him and all of New York killed.

He needs to be prepared]

video;

[sassymaru]

Have you no ability to build a fire?

Such a skill is quite common among humans, I'm told.

video;

[ghoststanning]

Oh, I know how to build a fire! [Mostly] But the idea of camping out in the cold is less appealing than staying in a hote-

[And then something hits him.]

Wait a minute, are you not a human?

video;

[sassymaru]

Alas, should you wish to avoid freezing, camping with a fire may be your only recourse.

[He grins. A little deviously.]

Not in the least.

video;

[ghoststanning]

[Ray is now beaming, seemingly to completely forget the fact that he's out in the freezing cold right now.]

Really? You look just like a human! Are you supposed to be a humanoid alien or something?

video;

[sassymaru]

Not as such.

[He just grins. Shadowmaru could specify what he is. But where's the fun in that?]

video;

[ghoststanning]

Oh please tell me? Are you a spirit? A demon? An angel?!

[He's just going to keep going until he gets it or Shadowmaru tell hims to stop.]