[Track 1]: Route 29 || video

[colorpalatable]

--Oh, hey, it records!

[There's a pale, black-haired young woman on the network today, inspecting her new 'Gear. She has a little Noibat chilling in her mass of hair like an adorable bat-shaped barrette. She studies the Pokegear seriously for a moment or two before noticing something else:]

Oh snap, and it broadcasts! Sweet!

Hey! Barkeep guy! You were right, that Mom lady was really weird! She gave me a lot of snacks, though, so that's cool.

But, uh, I kind of. Already ate them all? Look, I got carried away, okay? Does anyone know if there's anything else to eat on, what is it, Route 29? Besides the berries, I mean. My girl here - [she gestures to her new Noibat pal] - really digs them buuuuuut I still think they seem kinda suspect. For me to eat, that is. Thanks, peeps!

[Marceline: Out!]

Comments

[islandshore]

[Suspicion rather than jumping in? Smart. Definitely less impulsive than some of the other newbie trainers he's seen.

Still, must be one heck of an appetite... Riku winces, contemplating.]

Well, normally I'd suggest pacing yourself, but since that's out... Depends on how much you wanna hang onto your cash. You could take the ferry to Kanto and take advantage of the room and board, but that'd cut you P2000 short.

Beats having to fast for three days, though.

[colorpalatable]

[Yeah, pacing herself is definitely out; she's a one thousand year old vampire turned human, she's got so much delicious food to catch up on.]

How much do I actually need the cash, here? A ferry-cruise does sound pretty tempting.

[islandshore]

[That... is a good question. Riku squints for a moment, trying to remember what it was like when he was starting out.

Ultimately, he shrugs.]

Honestly, you can make money in other ways. Battling trainers is pretty lucrative once you get a team going. Did it all the time when I was younger and, uh... Well. Point is, the trainers on the routes are basically begging you to swoop in and take out their "top percentage Rattatas".

[The less said about his ego back then, the better.]

[colorpalatable]

Hmm, yeah, I've run into a couple of little kids so far. Dunno how I feel about fighting 'em. Or, well. Letting my girl here fight them.

["My girl here" is the Noibat still clinging, barrette-like, to the side of her head.]

It felt kinda like beating them up and taking their lunch money. It's not super great, y'know?

[islandshore]

I get it. Making a habit out of it's kinda... yeah, sketchy. But it's still a good way to train up if you take it on a more casual level.

[Friendly competition, rather than Riku's former brutality. He cringes a little at his own self-embarrassment. Ugh...]

Otherwise, your best bet's to pick up odd jobs between towns. Or get a big enough team that you can profit from egg sales, but that's one heck of a slippery slope.

[colorpalatable]

Selling eggs? Mmmmm, that sounds vaguely creepy and also exploitative, I think I'll pass on that one. Odd jobs sound better. Or even like. Regular jobs. That could be interesting.

Hey, kind of a random question, but which of these little towns is likely to have a music shop?

[islandshore]

Hey, whatever works. Just brace yourself for some weird customers. Some of the locals are, uh... Passionate. They will ask for your phone number, and they will call you just to gush about every cute thing their Jigglypuff does.

[He pauses.]

In the middle of the night.

[But, hey! That's a good segue into music, so hrmmm...

Give him a second as he racks his brain.]

Anyway, Lavender Town's probably the big music hotspot in Kanto. They're probably gonna have the most variety, just 'cause they're Kanto's prime radio hub. But I think any of the cities oughta have something up your alley.

[colorpalatable]

Weird is fine - I can totally handle weird. It's like. Homey.

[Anyway she's kind of a night owl, so middle of the night phone calls don't sound too bothersome.]

Hmm, Kanto's the other place, right? The one on the other side of the expensive ferry ride? Is there anywhere on this side of the. Uh. Canal? I can find a bass? Guitars weren't exactly cheap where I come from so I'm kinda guessing it'll be the same way here.

[islandshore]

Hmm... I'd try Azalea or Goldenrod. I know Azalea's got a jazz scene, so if anything, they've probably got cheaper prices. That's usually how it is with big cities- everything costs more.

[Everything. And that includes coffee. Bottled water... Ugh. He grumbles a bit at the thought.]

But it's also the most populated place in Johto, so you'll definitely find an audience out there.

[colorpalatable]

Okay, cool, and it looks like I'll get to Azalea sooner than Goldenrod anyway, so that works out. Thanks, man!

...And now I'm really hoping you'll tell me there'll be adults who want to fight the further along I go, too. Because if it's just kids with their pocket change then I'm still gonna be saving forever.

[islandshore]

Heh, no problem.

[Ah, the adult comment's valid. Better clear that one up quickly so not to discourage training, really.]

Anyway, you'll bump into adults, too. Hikers, Pokemaniacs, Gentlemen, Bikers... There's just as many grown trainers raring to fight as kids.

But the kids will try to battle you, whether you like it or not. The second you lock eyes, that's it.

[It's a... weird cultural norm. Even he doesn't fully get it.]

[colorpalatable]

Thank glob, that sounds way better than I was picturing.

Hey, thanks for all the info! I'm Marceline, by the way.

[islandshore]

No worries. I've been here way too long, so I guess I've turned into the resident nerd.

[He waves his hand, shrugging his shoulders. Lil' self-deprecative humor, but it's all in good fun.]

Anyway, name's Riku. And if you've got any more questions, just lemme know. I'll be around.

[colorpalatable]

Nice to meet you, Riku. And hey, if it makes you feel any better, you're definitely the least nerdy nerd I've ever met.