victory_road | one; video in New Bark Town

Okay, seriously, this is just stupid.

[For someone who had never seen a camera or a video until a couple of hours ago, Jean has taken to both rather quickly. He always did enjoy fooling around with things and learning about them through experimentation, and while the angle of the camera is distinctly unflattering—somehow stretching his long face out even longer while simultaneously giving him six chins—the sheer indignation in his eyes comes across perfectly.]

Everyone else gets something cute, or useful, or sweet or whatever. And I get this.

[The camera swings around, jittering wildly out of control for a moment, and then focuses on a round, red and white ball with glaring eyes. The ball’s eyes narrow further when it realizes the camera is on it, and it lunges forward with a crackling sound. Jean yelps and jumps backwards, making the camera swing wildly for a moment.]

See! He’s crazy!

[The Voltorb crackles ominously but doesn’t try to come any closer, watching Jean from where it hovers.]

So how am I supposed to make friends with this thing? Because that’s what we’re supposed to do, right? Make friends with them?

[Jean sounds almost condescending about the idea of befriending the Pokemon. Anyone listening very closely might notice how his voice is trembling the tiniest bit, betraying all his uncertainty that he will vehemently deny if he gets called out on it. His hand stretches into view, pale with callouses across the palm, and he extends it towards the Voltorb.]

You want to be friends, asshole?

[The Voltorb lunges forward again, and the camera falls to the ground, pointing upwards towards the sky, capturing cheery blue and recording the sounds of electricity crackling and Jean shouting.]

Ow! OUCH! You dick, what was that for?!

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[Jean looks vaguely horrified at the suggestion that the ball might actually be destroyed by Self-Destruct, and he can't help the shudder that runs up his spine. That sounds a little too much like warfare for his liking.]

So we're supposed to use these things to fight other people's things, right? And I could, in theory, teach this one to explode?

[The Voltorb is coming closer. It likes the sound of exploding.]

Yeah.

It's basically the national pastime.

It can get pretty intense, but in general, Pokemon are hardy as hell. It's pretty frowned upon to force one to fight if they don't want to, but most of them get into it just as much as their trainers do.

_{[A pause, as she gives the Voltorb a thoughtful glance.]}

... I get the impression that yours is gonna be one of the ones that likes it.

[The Voltorb knows they're talking about it, and floats up to Jean's elbow, peering into the screen along with him. At all the talk about fighting, it crackles and snaps cheerfully, bouncing up and down in midair. Jean jumps, startled and expecting to get shocked again, but the Pokemon is keeping itself contained at the moment.]

Heh... yeah, he seems like the type, huh?

[Jean reaches out to tentatively pet the Voltorb, and this time it allows it.]

So do I just find someone else who wants to fight their Pokemon and these guys will battle each other?

[That sounds nice and competitive. Jean can get behind the idea if that's how it's going to work.]

Yep. That's the idea.

And it won't be hard to find someone, either. A lot of people like just hanging out on the routes and battling. It's just a thing.

_{[She can't help but chuckle a little at the sight of the Voltorb's excitement. For a ball with eyes, it's a pretty expressive little guy.]}

All right, that sounds... kind of fun, actually.

[It sounds a lot better than constantly being on the run from man-eating giants, that's for sure.]

Thanks for your help.

[The Voltorb crackles in agreement; thank you for talking some sense into his idiot, kind stranger.]

Hey, no prob. Just your friendly neighborhood old-timer passin' on the wisdom.

Maybe once you've learned the ropes and been here awhile, you could even be as good a battler as me.

_{[Now that the newbie's gotten a little used to the idea and nobody's getting knocked down by a giant floating orb, it's time to flash those pearly whites in a grin like an obnoxious commercial.]

[She's had six years to perfect the art of Pokemon battling and while she's not the best there ever was, she sure does think she's good enough to flaunt it. Her tone is entirely teasing, though.]}

[Well, damn. That's the kind of grin Jean likes on a girl, and he flashes one right back at her. Time to turn on the old Kirschtein charm.]

We could battle now, if you want. I'm pretty sure my ball here is ready to go.

[The Voltorb bounces a little, excited at the prospect.]

_{[SORRY JEAN, SHE'S TAKEN. Also, you're a little young for her. She is, however, charmed by his spunk.]}

Hah, sorry to disappoint, but I'm no bully. I don't fight folks who just got here. _{[NO FUN IN THAT.]}

Call me up after you've won a few badges, then maybe you'll be tough enough to take my Pokemon on.

[Wow, excuse you, madam, he is a suave and mature fifteen years old, single and ready to ~~completely strike out~~ mingle!]

I'll do that. Time to go grind through the levels and get good, ball!

[The Voltorb rolls its eyes. Ball is not an appropriate name!]

_{[And she's 24 (not that she looks it, she's got that 'doomed to eternal carding in liquor stores' look), so STILL TOO OLD 4 U, YOUNG MAN. God, though, when did THAT happen? When she got here, she'd still been an Angry Teen (tm) and then at some point she became a Less-Angry Young Adult (tm). All these rotten kids coming here and walking on her lawn!]}

Best of luck.

I'll keep an eye out for your battles on the network-- I fully expect you to be ready to take down Falkner of Violet City by the time you get there.

[Jean hopes to someday evolve into a Less-Angry Young Adult (tm), although considering his lifestyle and life choice back home, that doesn't seem too likely.]

Thanks. Falkner, huh? [He cracks his knuckles, and Blitz rolls his eyes in the background.] I'll be ready for him.

_{[That's what THIS place is for!]}

I don't doubt it.

Your floating ball's Electric moves will be perfect for clipping that birdbrain's wings.

[Once all this settles in, Jean will hope he has a chance to evolve into a Young Adult instead of his current form of Moody Teen.]

Okay, so electricity is good against birds, got it. Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it.

[Mama Kirschtein raised a boy who remembers his manners, when it behooves him to do so.]

Hey, no prob.

The least us veterans can do is toss you new kids a few bones every now and then.

one; video in New Bark Town

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