[Video]

[goingbythebook]

[The feed doesn't take long to focus. It's a little shakey at first but then levels out, and a kid with white hair and a Ranger outfit steps back. He's muttering to himself that it "seems like it's working" and then, once the focus kicks in, he clears his throat.]

Ah, Huey Duck here, trainer ID [Number]. Transmitting from New Bark Town. I am a fresh arrival, and this is a call for assistance by anyone more experienced at being here than I am.

[There. With the business up front and out of the way, he can get on with the rest of the message now.]

I arrived not too long ago and, as I understand many others have, I have acquired a PokeGear and a Pokemon. [He leans and adjusts the feed until it shows a Castform, spinning happily nearby, more concerned with what seems to be watching the clouds than anything else.] As it seems to resemble a water molecule, I have currently nicknamed it Cavendish.

[A little chuckle at his own joke, then it petered off and he cleared his throat, setting the PokeGear back where it was.]

I must confess I am quite... well, not exactly out of my element, finding new worlds and monsters is all part and parcel of being part of the adventuring family I am. Even if it does come with... [And he looked at his hand, flipping it over and wagging his fingers.] ...strange transformations.

[Then he shook his head and looked back at the camera.]

But I do feel a little over my head. So, if anyone out there has any advice, I am- more! -than willing to listen. After all, Junior Woodchuck Guidebook rule number two states, "All Junior Woodchucks must be open to the unknown in their quest for truth."

[Here his business attitude drops a bit, as he taps his forefingers together, looking off; likely watching Cavendish just off-screen.]

Even when the unknown is... like this.

[He looked back and leaned to cut the feed, though not without a-]

Huey Duck, initial transmission complete.

[And off.]

Comments

[goingbythebook]

That's certainly comforting to know. I'd certainly been wondering about the world I left behind, especially with the way things last were. Nothing bad per se, in fact we'd just surmounted a large threat. But it's been a bit confusing finding out new places in the aftermath. And now I'm here.

[At least the others will be alright without him.]

It's interesting to know that we "outsiders" in the Pokemon world can own gyms. I'd like to learn more about that soon- [Especially with that magic word of BADGES] -but at the moment, the mention of a breeding project sticks out to me? Is that a necessary thing to do for Pokemon, or something you're doing for fun?

[schachmeister]

A necessity for this particular species, I'm afraid. Unfortunately, these pokemon were severely overhunted in the past, driving them to the brink of extinction in the wild. Things have gotten better since then, with more people understanding that they cannot just catch them thoughtlessly, but they still need some help getting their wild numbers up to anything it was before.

A friend of mine had experience dealing with these sort of things, so when he heard about their situation, he set up a breeding project for them. And when he went home, I continued it in his stead.

[Honestly, at this point, Armin has been in charge of the breeding project for longer than Newt had been, but he still feels it is important for him to mention Newt's hand in it. It wouldn't exist without him and really, it's a way to keep the memory of him alive for Armin.]

[goingbythebook]

[His expression is truly sympathetic at that, as he shakes his head.]

It's sad to see overhunting is such a pervasive thing that it exists here too. Still- [And he brightens some] -it's great to hear that there's things like this breeding project helping bridge that gap. That your friend started it, and you picked it up along the way, really tells me a lot about the both of you, if I must say.

[schachmeister]

[Oh, is that a compliment aimed at Armin? Let him skillfully dodge that cause dealing with compliments is still something Armin is no good at.]

He really was an incredible person. I'm lucky that I was able to meet him, even if it was only for a short time.

[Armin learned a lot from Newt; things about magic, how to handle animals, how to handle awkward bisexual urges for a man at least ten years your senior. The important stuff.]

[goingbythebook]

That's really great that you had a friend like that. I can certainly understand the sentiment, even in the relatively short time I've been around. I've had some encounters that have been incredibly meaningful, even if I might not've realized them at the time.

[schachmeister]

[Armin nods, his expression gentle with a very fond smile. Well, until it suddenly ends up looking shocked, then highly embarrassed in rapid succession.]

-- but this isn't really helping you very much, is it?

Sorry, I came here to help you understand this world. Not to tell you about my personal heroes. Uhm, what other questions did you have? I remember you mentioning something about badges?