001 - [Video | un: Uravity]

[floatsaway]

[It has been...a long few days for Ochako Uraraka. A long, long few days. After arriving in Newbark Town, like everyone else, she was given little to no information about, well...anything, and left to her devices. Like. Everyone else. Honestly, you'd think that there'd be an actual system put in place for all these newcomers or something. Like a Welcome Center, with information and helpful things to know. Hell, and some spare clothes...one single pair of pants and a t-shirt, alongside her pajamas, are not going to last a grueling journey like this, seriously. Thank goodness Ochako is as frugal as frugal comes. She can most certainly make her money last, and knows all the tricks to ration her food and take care of her belongings.

One of the few perks of being dirt poor.

The first day or two was spent mostly just acclimating to the new normal. Getting to know her Pokemon - a cute and very pink Cleffa, which Ochako finally decided on a name for...Parfait. It was cute and sweet, just like her little, meeping partner. Next in line was, uh...actually training up the little thing. It was weird thinking that this tiny, pudgy, pink cream puff could fight, but...then again, a lot of people underestimated her, and Ochako had one hell of a punch, and her high kick was, by Gunhead's standards, top shelf. So, after a few fumbled first battles (Ochako learned quickly that birds are jerks in this world), she eventually got the hang of it, hanging around the outskirts of Cherrygrove (in the early part of route 29 and 30 respectively), battling Pokemon and looking to expand her growing team.

And boy did she find one hell of a Pokemon to add. The video feed comes one with Ochako looking quite disheveled, her hair standing up in a few spots and a spattering of...some sort of food item on her cheek.]

Mmh... H-Hello, everyone, um. M-My name is Uraraka. U-Uraraka Ochako... [She tries to smooth her hair down, but to no avail.] I-I'm new here and. Ehh...

I-Is it normal for Poke...Pokey...Poker--...for your critters to refuse to eat? D-Do they have preferences? Because, um... [Ochako switches her Gear's camera to show off a very petulant looking Espurr, sitting on its butt on a stone with arms crossed, a little bowl in front of it floating around and smacking on the side of the rock every few seconds.] Th-This one won't accept anything I've given her. She's like a picky child...

[Ochako heaves a big, heavy sigh, shoulders drooping.] I don't want to waste all my food, but I don't want her to not eat, either!! Mmmaahh...Eclair-chaaan...please eat something. Maybe some water? At least a drink?

Comments

[floatsaway]

['Paliens'? Ochako blinks, slowly, her head turning to one side sort of like a dog. She...thought they were called something like Pokey-mans? That sounds kind of gross, actually, so maybe Paliens works better...eh. But wait, some of these things can eat dreams?! E-Emotions, too...what the actual fuck. Her confused look shifts to one of "this is some shit" over the course of listening to Dimitri talk and shifts her gaze quickly to her Espurr, who stares at her, unblinking, before mewling back.

These creatures may be cute as heck, but they're actually kind of terrifying, Ochako is finding out.]

Ehh...h-hopefully it's nothing like that. I'm not sure how well I can handle something trying to eat my dreams, o-or emotions... [She'd really rather not try and conceptualize it, actually.] But other people have suggested fish, and I noticed she's looked up when I mention it--ah! Like that!

[Indeed, Eclair seems to actually blink at the mention of fish, looking up at Ochako and twitching its curled up ears slightly. The human and Pokemon lock eyes and Eclair meows at her again, loudly. Then back at the gear. Nyaaah!! Seems we've found a winner.]

Do you really want fish? I-I'll try...maybe there's some cheap canned things...or some katsouboshi i can put on something for you. I-It's not like I can afford sashimi or anything. Eclair-chaaan...

[nastyboy]

[Somehow, it's not surprising that it's fish... Dimitri's boyfriend (one of many) has so many cat-like Pokemon, and they all seem similarly aligned. It's quite impressive, honestly.]

[For now, Dimitri just nods.]

How about this, Eclair: you agree to having the cheaper varieties of canned fish for average travel and while you stay in town. However, when you and your partner, Uraraka, cross a particular milestone such as defeating a gym, you may have a victory dinner of much finer and fresher fish with the funds won.

Ah... [Although that reminds him, he looks at Uraraka apologetically.] Although I apologize, I did not take care to check if you were a trainer.

[floatsaway]

[Oh, that's a really, really good deal. Ochako stays quiet, kneeling down to sort of squat by her Pokemon and simply wait. She barely knows this man, but she's already so, so grateful for his calm and patient nature - he really sort of reminds Ochako of one of her teachers, actually. Kind of like Aizawa? But not...quite. Definitely some hints, and it may be why her head is tilted to one side, mouth slightly open as she muses that fact over. Huh...

The Espurr makes a tiny noise of complaint at first, narrowing its eyes as its fur seems to fluff up a bit, eyes glancing away as it ponders a bit, a long bit, then nods its head with a grunt. It seems the beat has been tamed, for now. Ochako sighs, rubbing a hand through the Espurr's fur, who yowls loudly, face scrunched up, but tiny purrs starting to rumble in its throat. Truly a tsundere.]

See, was that really so hard? Did you have to make a scene? [Taking the Gear back, Ochako moves Eclair to her lap, continuing to pet the cat as it 'sulks' but continues to purr, loudly, and lean into Ochako's touches.] Eeeh, but I can't thank you enough...that really helped a lot!! Is there anything I can do to repay you, Blai...Bl--...Dimitri-san? Um, I...I-I mean, I don't really have much at all, b-but...

[nastyboy]

[Excellent - that's one deal accepted. Dimitri feels a small sense of relief unfurl in his chest. Once upon a time, it would have been expected of him to make deals.... although they would have been much grander than simply convincing a little cat of a creature to accept cheap fish. Still, it's nice to know that he can manage... despite his many failures.]

[With the Espurr taken care of, Dimitri merely nods to Ochako.]

Dimitri is fine. And please... It is nothing. I am glad that I was able to help. You do not have to thank me with much of anything.

[Especially because he knows how difficult it is when one is just starting out in such a new and strange location. At the same time, he knows how unsatisfying that can feel, so...]

Have you been told about the gym challenge in this country?

[floatsaway]

[Ochako frowns a bit, though it's more like a pout than anything. She...doesn't exactly enjoy not doing good for people who helped her out, it just feels wrong, but there really isn't much she can do right now anyway. Not the way she is, being so new to all this, and probably no where near where this guy is, anyway. Honestly, he speaks and acts so much like one of her teachers it's probably not a good idea to try and repay him anyway... Not Kosher or whatever.]

Mmh...okay. Um. [Gosh but he speaks so formally. Ochako is a little caught off guard, what with being such a country bumpkin herself. She fidgets a little bit in place, chewing her lower lip.] Yeah, one of my friends who's been here longer than me sort of explained it. I-I mean, sort of. It's still a whole lot to try and memorize all at once. But, um...you fight the gyms, they give you badges, and your partners get stronger through fighting or something?

[nastyboy]

That's right, that is the most basic definition of it. [He won't blame her for still getting a hold of it all.] However, along with winning badges that show you have overcome the challenge a gym possesses, there is something else you might be interested to know.

Besides the badge, you also get a device which allows your companions to learn new moves, which is valuable, of course. Additionally, and perhaps of particular interest to you right now, is that they also give you a good amount of money. The further in the gym chain you are, the higher the amount they give you.

For example, the Violet City gym is the traditional first, and victory will reward you P10,000. Mahognay Gym is traditionally thought of as the seventh gym one should go against, and they will instead reward you P22,000.

[He'll pause, letting that sink in for her.]

Additionally... For those registered as trainers, I have learned that they automatically get a 15% in many establishments - most stores and restaurants, as a matter of fact. If they can show proof of what gyms they have beaten, that discount grows - 1% more for each badge proof.

Eclair, you should pay attention as well. This will help get you that fine fish, after all.

[floatsaway]

[Oh, jeez...another instance where Ochako really, really wishes she had Izuku's innate ability to just pull a notebook out from thin air and take this all down. Or that there was a school or quick crash course that just taught all this stuff instead of having to sit and slog through page upon page of the hefty guidebook. Ochako isn't the smartest of students, but she's not stupid either. She's just painfully average. Still, even she gets antsy when she has to read a bajillion chapters of things that just don't make sense to her. She's way more hands-on.

BUT. Now you're talking her language, Dimitri. Ochako's head snaps to attention when the topic of money comes up, and she hangs on every word, soaking it all up like a sponge and immediately shoving that morsel of information away in her longterm. If there's one thing Ochako knows, it's money and finances. She's excellent at math and science, especially business math and accounting.]

O-Oh my-- [That's amazing? That is so amazing? She immediately begins to mutter, sitting down cross-legged with her Pokemon in her lap, knuckles pressed to her chin. Truly, she and Izuku are the same sometimes - cut from the same cloth indeed.] If the conversion rate in this world is similar to yen, then that'd be the equivalent of 10,000 yen if and when I defeat that first gym. From recollection, pokeballs cost about 200...so that'd be 50 pokeballs...but factoring in the possible shop discount...

[Her fingers begin to twitch and move as she begins doing the mental math in her head, muttering getting faster, quieter. Eclair just. Stares at her trainer, blinking slowly and papping Ochako on the arm. Hey.]

--nd if I also equate the cost of food for myself and my Pokemon, and that I'm also able to gain more money from fighting other people along routes like I did this one...and how long ingredients can keep... [Murmur, murmur... Eclair paps her trainer again. Harder this time.] Ah! Ah...hahah...s-sorry. But that was such wonderful information to know!! Dimitri-san, thank you so much! If I'm doing my math right, and shop around to look at prices, I can probably even have some saving left over as well depending on my needs and wants! Eclair-chan, say thank you, too!! If I can save up a lot of money, then I'll treat you to some really, really tasty fish!! And Parfait-chan, too!

[Can't forget her starter, of course.]

[nastyboy]

I am glad to help. This land is extremely kind and generous to those that decide to go on the path of a trainer - or, well, have it shoved upon them.

With all of that said... I hope you do not mind if I ask a favor of you?

Should you ever make the decision to battle a gym, could you film it for me? I like to learn more about how different people approach them, especially since their teams can vary so much. It is helpful to me and my own traveling group, I've found. If it is no trouble, of course.

[Hopefully, it's something that helps make her feel less indebted - and it's also something that she may very well end up doing regardless, with not too much extra effort.]

[floatsaway]

[Less indebted, but a lot more nervous now. Ochako jerks a bit, and then she tucks her head into her shoulders and chews at her lower lip nervously. Oh lord, he really does seem a whole lot like Aizawa-sensei...and now just gave her an assignment, too...ahaha. Gosh. But it wouldn't hurt, since he's been so nice. She's just afraid of making a complete fool of herself, especially if she loses or fails spectacularly. Like she expects to. Ochako is the very definition of a Newbie Trainer.]

Eh? Um...w-well, I-I don't mind much!! Of course you may, i-if I don't forget about it. Um. Just don't expect much from me, Dimitri-san, I'm still trying to figure out how everything in this world really works, and battling those wild animals can get a bit difficult, sometimes, too. I can't imagine how hard an experienced fighter is going to be to beat...

But if it'll help you, I don't mind at all. Just please, don't share it with anyone else but who you're traveling with, i-if that's alright? [She'll be mortified if anyone else sees her blunder all over the place.]

[nastyboy]

Of course. I will keep it purely to myself. [And he says it seriously enough as well. Dimitri never makes promises he intends to fail on. If she doesn't want such things spread around, he will make sure not to do that.]

Still, you do not have to be so nervous. The same way that the money goes up as you challenge gyms, so too is it in terms of difficulty. That means Violet's Gym, should you choose to start with that, will be manageable if you train a little bit for it. Although...

[Hm. Is there anything he can do to help there?]

[Fortunately, he has Pokemon with him that remember more about Violet City than he does. Dean taps his shoulder, and Dimitri looks up at the Emboar, listening to the low snuffling noises. Gremlin perks up immediately, and leaps from his shoulder. Is that the sound of keys clicking?]

Oh, excuse me. [He leans out of frame for a moment, before pulling back with a smile.] Of course. Thank you, Dean, Gremlin. I forgot that was there...

But Ochako, there is a school for Pokemon battling in Violet City. Perhaps going there might help assuage some of your concerns about going against a gym? They let people sit in on lessons, apparently. I did not attend myself, but I am sure it would be useful...

[floatsaway]

[It's just embarrassing, because Ochako really and truly is so new and inexperienced she just...doesn't want to be laughed at, really. Her first few battles against wild Pokemon alone weren't exactly easy, and it's kind of frowned upon to fight these wild animals yourself, e-even if she probably could (though the emotional toll of punching a cute animal would be Rough™).

Though the mention of a school immediately piques her interest, and there's but a teensy gasp and a look of sheer delight and relief on her face along with a heavy sigh. Thank goodness...somewhere she can actually get some real tutelage...and experience before making a right fool of herself in a professional setting.]

That's wonderful!! I'll be sure to go there for a few lessons when I arrive! I want to get stronger to catch up to my friends who came here before me, so...I think it's a good idea to take on these Gyms, but getting to know how to really fight would be great. I, um...I actually really miss being in school, too, as weird as that may sound, ehehe. So it'll feel kind of nostalgic, maybe.

I really can't thank you enough, Dimitri-san, and your friends as well!! Dean-chan, Gremlin-chan, you all are the best!

[nastyboy]

[Of course she's still a student. Dimitri thinks back to his own schooldays, to the occasions when there wasn't yet another catastrophe or horrifying event.]

[Watching Seteth prepare a fishing competition just for his sister, how Ingrid had so determinedly tried to win while Alois had laughed and made every fish pun he could imagine, only for the Professor to blow them all out of the water...]

[For the White Heron Cup, everyone doing their best so that they could prepare for the dance, the smiles and exchange of words...]

[Dimitri smiles a bit.]

I hope you enjoy your time back in school, then, and make good friends. Violet City is a wonderful place to stay at as well, so I'm sure you will have fun.

If you ever would like to have someone to practice battle against, do let me know. We-

[And that's around the time Gremlin comes back on screen, just to shove his face into the camera with an excited and happy chitter. Patiently, Dimitri picks him up by the scruff of the neck so that he can pull him away.]

As you can see, we would be glad to see how you are doing.

Do take care.