1. [text]

[yousayyes]

[As Winston's second day at sea starts, he feels the distinct creeping anxiety of his mind preoccupying itself with worry over what could be happening back home in his absence.]

[Normally, he'd try reading to pass the time and keep his mind busy from those thoughts- but Mom only packed him two books, and he's already read through both of them cover-to-cover multiple times by now. ...he started to realize somewhere in the middle of his fifth re-read of the trainer's guide that he wasn't actually working to absorb the information. By that point, he was just glancing down at the turning pages to feel some amount of productivity as he's stuck waiting for the cruise ship to reach Kanto.]

[Setting the books back in his bag, Winston opens his Pokégear, thumbing through its features until he reaches a text posting option. ...it can't hurt to put something out there, right?]

Hi.

Current events outside of my control have left me temporarily unemployed, seeing as I'm now stuck in a different dimension from my former workplace.

I know- we've ALL been there before... /endsarcasm

While I'm sure my coworkers will be understanding of the situation and leave my spot open until I return... I don't see that reunion happening anytime soon. So in the meantime: if anyone could point me towards a job listing in the Kanto area, I would appreciate it a lot.

Many thanks.

- Winston Zeddemore

Comments

[schachmeister]

Breeders frequently offer up eggs on the network, so if you are looking to expand your party, that is something to look out for. Some breeders might even have eggs left over from previous clutches, so that is something worth looking into too. I, unfortunately, don't have any at the moment, but if there ever was a Water pokemon you were interested in getting, I wouldn't mind breeding one if it is one I own. It's what I try to specialise in.

I realise a lot of this might be a little premature as you've only just arrived, but I wanted to extend the offer already anyway.

Oh, and this is something the book has probably mentioned as well, but if you are a breeder, keep an eye out for Ditto. Owning one helps. A lot.

[yousayyes]

[The book did mention ditto, and it's definitely going on his priority list for the future.]

No problem- if anything, I appreciate that you're giving me the ability to consider these options so far in advance.

Truth be told, there isn't any specific /species/ I'm looking for... but I have some traits in mind that should still narrow the scope.

Since I only have a Mudbray to start off with, if you have any Pokemon in your roster that could potentially pass down some of its moves to one- that'd be really useful for me to know about. /Especially/ if it's compatible with another egg group besides Field. That way, there's no need to make a decision between "sticking with an egg group I already have" and "branching out into new groups to cover all the bases".

[schachmeister]

A Mudbray, you say.

I don't think any of my water pokemon are able to pass down their moves to a Mudbray, but perhaps you'd be interested in a Numel? I'm afraid it is not compatible with any other egg groups except field, but it is able to pass down some of its moves to Mudbray, and perhaps more importantly, when it evolves into a Camerupt, there is a chance it will gain the ability 'Magma Armor'. I'm not sure if you've come across that one yet, but any eggs kept in the presence of a pokemon with Magma Armor will hatch more rapidly than normal.

If you wanted, I wouldn't mind breeding you one. Of course, it is always a bit difficult to predict a pokemon's temperament, but my Camerupt Beatrice is incredibly calm and nurturing. She is a big help with hatching the eggs I breed.

[yousayyes]

[It wasn't what he was looking for at first, but...]

Hm, the sped up hatch time /does/ sound like it'd be really helpful to have around, both for my own clutches and any other eggs I'd happen to get my hands on. [And having a Pokemon with a tranquil personality would also be a welcome change of pace from his starter being something of a harbinger of chaos. ...even if there's not necessarily any guarantee that it'll take after it's mother in that regard.]

...is there a way to predict which ability it'll develop while it's still a Numel, or do you only know when it evolves? [It's not such a big deal if it's entirely unknowable and up to chance, but it'd still definitely be more convenient if he didn't have to gamble on it.]

[schachmeister]

Not that I know, but then, I am really not any sort of expert when it comes to fire pokemon. Or this particular species of pokemon. It might be that someone with more experience has an accurate way of predicting which ability it will develop, but unfortunately, I do not.

Blaine, the gym leader of Cinnabar Island specialises in fire pokemon. He might have an answer.