first zipper

[nellacerniera]

[So, originally, Bucciarati hadn't intended to give the network more than a passing glance unless it was completely necessary.

But then sometimes, as you try to get your bearings, you see a news broadcast about giant birds being menaces at an event, and you manage to spot a somehow familiar face in that footage. Then it becomes necessary.

(Plus, as it happens, he did have a couple of questions that occurred to him when he had been making plans. Funny how such things happen.)

And that's why the video opens on an Italian man, no older than twenty, with a Slowpoke in his lap. The man is rather intent on what he's doing--adjusting his Gear so that the camera's steady--while the Pokémon just... vacantly stares off into the distance, as a Slowpoke is wont to do. Once the man's apparently satisfied, he leans back a bit.]

There we are... Ah... Hello, everyone. I'm a recent arrival. My name's Bruno Bucciarati, and if anyone has the time to spare to answer a couple of questions for me, I'd appreciate it. First of all... Does anyone happen to have any advice for a newcomer that the provided handbook doesn't somehow cover?

Secondly... [He glances down at the Slowpoke, patting the Water-type's head briefly, but frowns when it takes the Slowpoke at least a full second or two to acknowledge the affection.] For Teodoro's species here, are the delayed reactions normal or something I should be concerned about?

Comments

[seacub]

Hmmm...I know that Slowbro can use 'mega evolution', which is...sort of like a power-up state? I would have to ask hermana more about it- both are water/psychic type, but I think 'Slowking' are supposed to have some kind of unique ability...

[nellacerniera]

[Jotting more things down! This is very good to know!]

Well, I'm in no hurry to get the information. I would imagine either of these options are more than just a while off in the future.

[Said as he strokes Teodoro's head again.]

[sonrise]

[Oh. This is where Varian realizes he's reached a point where he can be helpful to newcomers, in terms of information. That's exciting!]

Yeah, actually! I know there's another kind of Slowpoke besides that one. It has something called a Galarian form, apparently from another place in this world, where it's forehead is yellow and isn't a Water type, only Psychic. ...Oh! And from what I've seen, there's two different ways a Slowpoke can evolve. You can end up with either a Slowbro or a Slowking.

[seacub]

Hahah, not unless you want to really go for the gym challenge right away at least...but I have a feeling your slowpoke would have other plans even if that was the case.

[Video]

[perfectteatime]

Welcome, Bruno. I suppose there's a good many things to cover that may be unexpected, but that depends on what the world you came from is like.

As for your new friend, he's a Slowpoke, so yeah that's normal. They usually take a while to do- well. Anything.

[epitaffio]

Oh, I haven't trained any, but I always see a bunch of them when I'm in Azalea Town! There's a whole colony of them there.

[... He's also stolen a few, but it's honestly not his favourite thing to do. It's hard not to feel sorry for the little guys.]

[nellacerniera]

... I'm sure he would, yes.

I don't think I'll be tackling the gym challenge quite yet, anyway. I want to get more settled in first, I think.

[nellacerniera]

I guess some variation depending on location is to be expected, but that's still fascinating...

[He's not much of a book-smart guy, but that's still kind of incredible.

... Maybe getting one of these Galarian Slowpokes for himself could be in the cards in the future. Making a mental note to look into that eventually.]

Slowbro and Slowking... Would you happen to know the difference between the two?

[nellacerniera]

To tell you the truth, it doesn't seem... terribly different, I think. The Pokémon are new. To be honest, when I made this post, I was thinking about things that might be useful for travel or general day-to-day life.

[... The last part though, that gets a faint chuckle as he pats the Slowpoke's head.]

As long as it's a species thing, I'm less concerned, at least. He might be slow, but he seems fairly reliable otherwise.

[nellacerniera]

A whole colony... It must be quite the sight.

[It's going to be a while before he can see it for himself, especially since he'll be going to Kanto, but he definitely wants to see it at some point...]

[epitaffio]

You'll probably get to see it some day! Are you a trainer or an egg guy?

[perfectteatime]

Oh yes, slowpoke are lovely creatures honestly. Very charming.

Well, thankfully the only thing you really need be concerned about here are wild Pokemon. You'll be fine for the most part by staying on designated trails. That said, if you run into trouble, use your Pokedex and your little friend there should also be able to protect you.

[seacub]

That's probably a good idea...I just sort of started it as I went, but after a while I took a break...it's strange to think about going at it seriously still somehow.

[nellacerniera]

Egg guy...? [Wait, never mind that--] Trainer, judging by what was provided for me in the bag.

[epitaffio]

Then you'll definitely go there! There's a gym in that town.

[nellacerniera]

It'll be a while yet, since I'll be going to Kanto first, but I'll look forward to it.

[nellacerniera]

["Still"...]

... How long have you been here, if I may ask?

[epitaffio]

Are you gonna be meeting with somebody?

[Such as, perhaps, Narancia...?]

[seacub]

How long..? Uhhhh...

...About two years? It wasn't that long after my 12th birthday when I first arrived...

[A thought occurs to him and he blinks.] ...huh...I guess that means I've spent more time being headhunted by Team Rocket than I thought...

[nellacerniera]

I am, yes. There's someone from my home that's here that--that I'd like to stick around as much as possible.

[So, yes, Narancia.]

[nellacerniera]

Two years...

[It's strange to think about, being away from home for that long.]

... Wait, what?

[WHAT'S THIS ABOUT YOU BEING HEADHUNTED, BUD????]

[seacub]

Uhhhh-

[Excuse him, excuse his cough. Laugh. Laugh cough.]

I was just muttering to myself...

[PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE SMALL TEENAGER BEING GANGPRESSURED??]

[nellacerniera]

I'm sorry, I... simply don't like the sound of that. What do you mean, 'headhunted by Team Rocket'?

[YOU'RE LIKE FOURTEEN????]

[seacub]

[Fourteen!!! HE'S FOURTEEN!!!

but he was 12 at the time-

Nervous smile still in place, the boy awkwardly adjusts his hat.] It's really not as bad as it could be...Team Rocket is restricted to theft and casino maintenance for the most part here, and the grunts they send to try recruiting are pretty easy to beat in a pokemon battle...

[nellacerniera]

I... I see...

[Small blessings, but that's still. Hm. He doesn't like that!!!]