[video / action for new bark town]

[meteorman]

[Ford is perhaps better-equipped than most to deal with suddenly being dropped into a strange world unlike anything he's ever seen before. That was his life for thirty-odd years, and that it's begun again doesn't trouble him much. He'll adapt; he always has, with time. The woman (clearly younger than him) calling herself his mother is a little strange, but further inquiry and a cursory scan of the literature included in his new backpack answer most of his questions. In particular, they explain the neat little device that looks very much like an odd cellphone. This 'Pokégear' can be used to communicate with other people, and so that is exactly what Ford decides to do. If he's learned anything in his prior experience with this sort of thing, it's to ask questions.

The camera shakes a little, and his face is sort of awkwardly off to the side of the frame, but he managed to get it working and that's the important thing. For a first try he's not doing all that badly. Behind him, trees and a couple of quaint New Bark Town roofs are visible.]

Greetings! Is greetings the polite form of salutation in this universe? My name is Stanford Pines, and like what I assume must be the majority of you, I am not a native of this world. I only just arrived today, in fact. This is probably the warmest welcome I've seen since the universe where every day is your birthday.

[That place got old really fast, honestly (and you got old really fast if you stayed there too long).]

But, to business. [He holds up a pokéball with the hand not holding the 'gear.] How do you open--

[As if on cue, the Pokéball pops open and out of the light materializes a small green creature. It takes one look at him, lets out a surprised trill, and zips away out of frame.]

Oh! [Ford peers in the direction it went, clearly thrilled to bits.] I think it hid in those bushes, hold on --

[Those who reply by 'gear will get to follow what is essentially Ford Pines liveblogging his attempts to recapture his own starter. Or perhaps, if you're in New Bark Town as well, you'd like to help in person? An old man crashing around in the underbrush on the outskirts of town is sure to draw attention.]

Comments

[meteorman]

Mabel, I've crossed entire universes! Three days is nothing.

[Especially if it means being back together with his family.]

You and Dipper just stay put, now. I'll be along as soon as I can. In the meantime, do you have any ideas about how to calm this creature down? It doesn't seem interested in food, and I'd like to keep it out of the ball if possible.

[If anyone knows how to make friends with a bizarre unknown entity, it's Mabel Pines.]

[meowbel]

[Hmmmmm, now this was definitely a job for Mabel, indeed!

As she put her serious face on, she must now befriend this strange and unknown creature!]

Well...maybe you can try drawing it a bunch of really cute pictures! Oh! Or maybe see if they're trying to play a game with you! I bet it's playing hide and seek with you right now!

[Or so she hoped. Because in this world where fighting is the key to friendship, it was definitely a strange concept for her to understand]

[meteorman]

You think?

[Well. It's worth a shot. In fact, he expresses that very thought to Shiro, and gets a stick thrown at his face for his troubles. Which, as it turns out, is exactly what needed to happen to break the ice.]

Thank you, Mabel! You were exactly right. It just needed to warm up to me a little.

[His Elgyem floats behind his shoulder, peering curiously at the 'gear.]

[meowbel]

[...Annnnddd here, Mabel wasn't too sure about that. The moment she saw said stick being thrown at him, she was just about ready to give said Elgyem a piece of her mind!

But...]

You really think so? I don't know, it seems pretty mean of him to just throw that at you! It doesn't seem friendly at all!

[meteorman]

[Maybe that's just how it says hello! You can never judge these things with an alien lifeform. At any rate he's not hurt at all.]

I think it may not be entirely aware of it's own, ah, mental strength. If it is my job to train it then I'll be able to help with that.

[Ford 'control your fear' Pines is on the case!]

[meowbel]

You sure? Because if it's being super mean to you, I could always go and talk to him! I'm not going to let it bully you just because it can!

[And that was a straight up fact! Nobody messes with the Pines on her watch!]

[meteorman]

[Aw, Mabel. Now, Ford is no stranger to bullying -- it's something he's dealt with his whole life in one way or another -- and so perhaps to him that means more than it might to someone else. Someone else might find it laughable; he just feels touched.]

Thank you, Mabel. I'll be sure to let you know if it becomes a problem.

[meowbel]

[That and Mabel definitely knows what it means to be bullied. She, of all people, won't stand for that and especially when it was one of her family members!]

You better because I'm not letting it think it can bully you. And it's really not nice either!

[meteorman]

[Literally everyone in this family has been the victim of bullying. Someone please save the Pines.

The Elgyem meanwhile has floated cautiously over and now hovers half-way in view of the camera. It certainly doesn't seem to be doing anything mean at the moment, at least.]

I will! I will.

[A thought occurs to him. Oh boy. Oh boy.]

Do you have a Pokémon with you as well?