[video]

[strikesachord]

[A young man is on the screen. He's got a chubby face with some chin scruff going on, is dressed in full Hiker gear, has a Canadian accent, and - perhaps most notably - his hair is a vibrant shade of pink. He smiles and waves at the screen.]

Aw-ha, I think it's working...! Hey there! My name's Gobo, and I just got here today. I, uh, I gotta say, I was expecting to be exploring in the desert, not this Johto place, but an adventure is an adventure, eh?

[He chuckles, and it's then that the top of a Rockruff's head can be seen as the Pokemon tries to jump into view. With an "Oh!" from Gobo, the camera moves down to focus on her.]

And this is my new friend, Rockruff! I'll tell ya, if all Pokemon are as cool as this rocky monster here, I'm excited to be training them! Aw, but it's sure something I don't know about, so I'll take any advice anyone has. Thanks, fellas! I think that's everything... Oh wait! [And now the camera's back on him.] Does anyone know where a guy can get a guitar around here?

[Honestly? He kind of feels like he's missing a limb without one at hand.]

Comments

video

[neverfinishanyth]

[A friendly bearded man waves as his camera comes into focus. It's clear that his gear is being held in his other hand.]

I do not know where you can get a guitar, but I know that there is a man named Zuke who is quite skilled with modifying instruments, should you find one you like.

[strikesachord]

Oh, that sounds great! With all the changes for me here, I might wanna get a guitar more like the one I have back at home. You know, just for a bit of familiarity.

[neverfinishanyth]

Makes sense to me. The guitars here will likely have designs of pokemon on them, now that I think of it.

[strikesachord]

Oh, yeah? These little guys do seem to be everywhere, so I guess it's not too surprising that a lot of things here would reflect that.

[They're not all little by any means but so far all he's seen are pretty small ones.]

[neverfinishanyth]

I spend most of my time drawing rather than catching or training these little guys. Even when they aren't so little.

Video

[goingbythebook]

[Not even gonna lie, "adventure is an adventure" is what caught his attention. That and the apparent affection for rocks.]

I'm rather new myself so I sadly don't have much training advice yet, but I'd wager you've got the right attitude about being here so far! Adventure's scary, but exciting once you get the hang of it.

[If he were in person, this would be the "lean down to talk to the doggo" part.]

What about your partner there?

Re: Video

[strikesachord]

[Gobo chuckles, nodding.]

It sure is exciting! And I'd say Rockruff here agrees with us. She sure seems ready to get goin', at least.

[goingbythebook]

[He laughed some himself.]

Good! It's absolutely refreshing to see that kind of drive to head out onto the unknown trail.

[strikesachord]

Awh-ha, absolutely! Finding something new around every corner is what being an explorer is all about. I'm glad my partner is ready to approach things that way, too.

[bestswordmaster]

Yes. I purchased a guitar from a shop in Goldenrod. If you're new here, it will take you a while to get there. But if you speak to a man named Greg Universe, he would know more. ...or Jaskier, I suppose.

[strikesachord]

Oh, thanks for the tip, I'll have to see if I can get in touch with one'a those guys. And hey, it's always good to meet a fellow musician! Nice to meetcha.

[bestswordmaster]

Oh. I'm...not a musician. I've just been taking a few lessons with Greg.

[strikesachord]

Hey, you're trying, right? That counts for something! Are you liking your lessons so far?

Video

[adandyinspace]

Listen, as the expert of all things precious pooch, I can guarantee you're not gonna find anything cooler than that little pup right there. Which is a real shame, since everything else you'll bump into is gonna look like crap in comparison.

Well, except maybe all my dogs. ...And every other dog. The point is, all dogs are good dogs and you got yourself a good one, baby.

[...He then switches to an incredibly obnoxious baby voice.]

Who's a good puppy~? Is it you~? Yes it is~!

Re: Video

[strikesachord]

[Gobo face shows barely-concealed amusement at-- All of that, honestly, but he can't really fault the babytalk. He's done the same thing to a plant, so...]

Aww, well, I don't know about that - the everything else part, I mean. I've seen a couple other Pokemon so far, and they're pretty amazing!

But thanks! Rockruff here's definitely a good girl, I'm not gonna argue with you there.

[adandyinspace]

[Dandy can't stop himself from squishing a cheek with his hand, honestly it'd be both if he didn't need the other to hold the 'gear.]

A sweet baby girl, huh? Man, I'm gonna cry... [All the rockruffs he's met personally have been cute little boys so far, not that there's anything wrong with that, but girl pups hold...a special place in his heart.] Well, whatever works for you, I guess. I'm just sayin', it's gonna be pretty hard to top that pooch.

The chick I'm with got one not too long ago, already turned into a bigger pup. They look pretty badass, you should look it up sometime.

[He's also only ever encountered midnight lycanrocs...]

[strikesachord]

Bigger pup- Oh, that's the evolution stuff, right? Man, that's cool...

But, heh, you must really love dogs, eh?

Video

[lifebloomsanew]

Oh, all Pokemon are amazing! And there's so many of them!

And I'm sure you can find a guitar in one of the general stores, there's lots of musical instruments here. You play?

[strikesachord]

That's great to hear! And yeah - [He chuckles.] - I've been playing guitar for almost as long as I can remember. Since I could hold one, I'd say! Music's a big, big part of life back home.

[lifebloomsanew]

Oh you'll fit right in here! My husband and I make music, too - we've played in almost every town in Johto by now! Our Pokemon play with us. Some of them are very musically talented.

[strikesachord]

Oh wow, just like the Minstrels! Uh, those are a group of traveling musicians where I'm from. And it's so cool that your Pokemon get to join in! That's the best thing about music, how it can connect all kinds of people!

And to a Fraggle like I am - uh, usually - music is just about the most important thing there is.

video;

[machismost]

[ Hello pink hair, meet red red hair spiked like a pair of imp horns and then a general upsweep on a teen with sharkishly pointed teeth. He seems friendly and bright, at least!

There's a midnight Lycanroc being held by one huge paw in the teen's hand to make it look like it is being put on Kirishima's shoulder, looking dourly into the camera like an emo teen obligated to be in the family Christmas picture. ]

Yo! My name's Kirishima and this is Gauntlet! He's one of the three types of Pokemon your Rockruff can evolve into!

[ Kirishima gives a little wriggle of the massive paw in his hand, which Gauntlet seems to tolerate with a huff and a glance away from camera. ]

So my biggest advice comin' from one Rockruff trainer to another? It's more of a... warning? Advisory? If they like you, they're gonna wanna nuzzle on you with their rock necklace... it hurts. But it also means you're bonding well!

[strikesachord]

[Though Gobo does startle a bit at the sight of those teeth, it's short-lived. Soon he's chuckling a bit at the kid's sheer enthusiasm, and gives a wave.]

Heh, well... I guess if that's how they show affection, I can't complain. But I've got a question about the other thing you said- Rockruff being able to evolve into three different things? From what I read about all that, I didn't realize there were different options.

[machismost]

[ And Kirishima consequently waves using Gauntlet's paw! ]

Yeah! Isn't that awesome? I mean they're all called Lycanroc, but there's the Midday, Dusk, and Midnight forms. Gauntlet here's the Midnight one. It all has to do with what time of day they evolve during... er, well, I think Dusk also has to do with their parents? So not every Rockruff could possibly be a Dusk Lycanroc.

But Gauntlet evolved at night, so he's a Midnight Lycanroc!

[ His smile fades as the memories surrounding that time come back to him. ]

Actually, there's something else really important I wish someone had told me, but I don't know if...

[ He purses his lips. ]

Can your Rockruff hear?

[strikesachord]

Yeah, it really is! There's a lot to figure out about this place, but I think I'll have a good time doing just that. Evolving at night means a Midnight Lycanroc, eh?

[He'll have to remember that... Because Gauntlet looks really fearsome, in the coolest way.]

Huh? Uh, yeah, 'far as I can tell, she can.