001//video;

[thetombkeeper]

[The video feed starts and focuses on a young, thin, tanned skinned teenager with a Yamask laying over his shoulder. One might use the stereotypical term "exotic" to describe him. He softly clears his throat before speaking.]

Ah, hello. My name is-

[The boy pauses, obviously mulling something over in his mind.

I don't need to hide who I am here. Even if there is someone I might know, they all know who I am now so...]

-Marik. I just arrived the other day and I'm currently traveling along Route 29.

[He looks around at the area off screen.]

I've never seen so much green before! The grass is so soft and the way the wind blows through the trees... It's all so wonderful.

[I never thought I'd get to experience any of this.. Domino City had pockets of greenery here and there but still place is so different.]

I'm afraid I'm still not 100% certain on how things work here but I've got the jidst of it. The music is going to take some getting used to, that's for sure. Is there some speaker system it's coming from...?

[Another pause as he debates whether or not to ask the question that pops into his head.]

Hn... Is there another way to catch pokemon? Other than fighting and weakening them, I mean. It seems... kind of cruel to beat the poor thing up and then stuff it into a pokeball. I'm honestly just used to handling cards, not live animals.

[He mutters to himself]

It's still strange to think that these are real creatures and not just holograms...

Comments

[ironchef]

Apparently? But oh man, they've got these creepy stories that go around about how some were abandoned dolls or are the souls of dead children and stuff. It's creepy. Really prefer thinking that they all come from eggs and not some of them.

Yeah! You can totally buy eggs off people. Or get some free ones. My friend Allura gave me this little Togepi guy when I got here that I had to hatch.

But wow... Yeah, I guess if you wanted to find yourself, this is the place to do it. Turns out most of my friends did or are in the process of doing it. [Hunk's only ambition is, well, food.] Good luck with that.

[thetombkeeper]

Yeah, I was kind of surprised by the information in the Pokedex about Yamasks. It's a tad on the dark side. Who comes up with that stuff? If they're all born from eggs, it doesn't make much sense unless... that's how the first of the species was formed?

[He's been actively trying to keep Chenzira from looking at his mask, just in case it is true.]

I'll certainly keep my eye out for any ads.

[He offers a small smile.]

Thanks. I never thought I'd have the chance to do anything like this so, as cliche as it sounds, this is a dream come true for me. I'm very much looking forward to it.

[He also doesn't need to worry about his split personality coming out so it's the first time since he was a child that he has a clear mind.

Not that he's about to mention that tidbit.]

[ironchef]

It could be. I've seen some pretty dark stuff in my home universe, I could use a little less of it in this one. I think it's pretty safe to assume most of the ones you meet are from eggs.

Even the ghost ones? As funny as that is.

[It really has done some good for people.] I'm... I dunno, I'm pretty new. But I see a lot of people who had difficult lives getting a chance to relax without a whole lot of worries. [Like about fighting or where their next meal would come from.]

[thetombkeeper]

Oh. Yeah. I hadn't thought of that. A ghost coming from a egg... Strange. But what isn't in this place.

[Chenzira just tilts his head.]

I wonder if that's why we're... "chosen" to come here? To give us a second chance at life.

[ironchef]

Maybe. I never considered my life all that bad, even if we found a lotta trouble along the way. I figure if it picked me, then it's because I could do something to make someone else's life better. If I can do that, then whatever time I spend here will be worth it.

[Even if he ends up forgetting about it.]

[thetombkeeper]

That's a noble goal. I certainly respect that.

I hope... I'm capable of helping people someday. I've done a lot of the opposite in my life thus far. Maybe that will help repay some of my sins, even just a little.

[ironchef]

That's a pretty noble goal, too. If you need a friend to help you out, I'll do what I can. [He already considers Marik friend material.] I'm not that well established, but I have friends who can give great advice.

[thetombkeeper]

[That throws him a bit. He's still not quite used to random acts of kindness outside of his siblings.]

... Only if it's not a burden for you. I wouldn't want to impose.

[ironchef]

Hey! It's not at all. People letting me help is a privilege! In no way are people that need help burdens.

[That had been the best part of being a Paladin. Otherwise he would have gotten tired of the fighting real quick.]

[thetombkeeper]

[Fighting to help people is definitely good motivation. Marik may slowly learn about that while he's here.]

Well, I... I appreciate it then. Thank you, Hunk. Let me know if there's anything I can do in return.