Prom 2023 - Back to the Falls!

[indigo_league]

What’s this? There’s glitter in the air. What’s this? There’s dresses everywhere.

Oh right. It’s Prom time.



From the afternoon on, on Friday the 7th of April, your characters will all be arriving at Tohjo Falls via the transport arranged for by Lance. He did end up borrowing a few of those Corviknights from the JKBA, but there are also several of you who will find themselves flown to the Falls by one of Lance’s Dragonites or Charizards. Please give them a poffin if you are able, they are all very good boys and girls.


Your characters will be set down on a tiled driveway (more like flyway, Ha) in front of an impressive-looking villa. Those who have been here before might note that the villa has gotten a bit of a renovation and an update. Turns out that when Team Rocket kidnaps you and keeps you captive in your own home for several weeks while wrecking the house and digging Arceus knows how many basements beneath the house, you might be entitled to some compensation.

And from the looks of things, Lance and co used that compensation to turn their little vacation home back into something where they can relax in peace.

After you arrive, you’ll be greeted by Lance or one of the other Elite Four members, who will give you a quick run-down. You are free to explore the house and surrounding area at your leisure. Please respect their privacy and do not go into any of the locked rooms. You’ll find your accommodations behind the house, so feel free to head there and unpack. Oh, and, there will be a little announcement later, so if you could be in the dining room for that, that’d be stellar.

Well, off you go!




WELCOME (BACK) TO THE FALLS

THE SIGHTS The Villa As mentioned by Lance and Co, parts of the villa are off-limits to guests. Not to worry, there is nothing nefarious hiding there this time. It's just that those rooms are the Elite Four's private quarters, and they'd rather not have people go through their underwear drawers! Other areas that are off-limits include the kitchen, but this is just for practical reasons; wouldn't want to get in the way of the cooks preparing lunch and dinner. Still, even with these off-limits areas, there is still plenty to see. Library On the upper floor, there is a decently sized Library for anyone who needs a bit of peace and quiet. The books within are part of the Elite Four's personal book collections. There are a lot of books related to each members' preferred Pokemon type, as well as a very sizeable collection of books on Pokemon Battling, strategies and counter-strategies, in addition to a good number of autobiographies from famous (former) gym leaders and Elite Four members. Their books aren't all business though! There is also plenty of fiction available, as well as non-fiction related to the Elite Four's personal hobbies. The books are not marked, so it's hard to tell which book belongs to which E4 member, so have fun trying to figure out who added the books on glassblowing to the collection, and to who the knitting books belong to. Gallery Also on the top floor is a gallery that contains the many prizes each Elite Four member has won over the years, as well as some interesting artefacts they've found during their lives. Ever wanted to see Lance's first badges? Or perhaps Bruno's weightlifting trophies? And wow, looks like Will participated in some contests back in the day! Okay, those things probably aren't worth hours of visiting, but there is also a collection of photos of various legendary pokemon, as well as some items related to them, such as a feather that is said to have belonged to Ho-oh, a scale that was left behind after Groudon and Kougre fought and could it be true? One of Hoopa's hoops itself? Fascinating! Dining Room Obviously where characters can dine. Unfortunately, the dining room itself is not big enough to fit all characters at once, so they've also set up some tables outside among the tents, and people are asked to check back if there is no space. When not in use to have dinner in, the room is left open and available to anyone who'd like to use it. Ball Room Now that prom night is finally here, your characters may enter in what was previously forbidden. Yes, beyond these doors lay a mysterious land of, uh... tables and a dance floor. Listen, there is only so many ways you can describe a ballroom, okay! There is a central floor where people may dance if they so desire, and around that spot, plenty of tables and chairs have been set up for you to rest your tired dancing feet at. Though there is no big dinner served at prom, there are staff flitting around with refreshments and canapes and, fitting the style of the villa, tapas. There are, of course, also flutes of champagne and wine and other adult drinks. Note the emphasise on adult, there. Don't expect to con these waiters into giving you something if you are underaged. (instead, try and find a trusted, untrustworthy adult friend. It's okay. We won't tell your mom. Pool Outside, of course, is the pool. This hasn't changed that much from previous visits here. It's... well... it's a pool! What more can we say? It's a good place to have some fun and play around, but if you are more into relaxation or perhaps even catching some rays, there's also plenty of space around the pool with plenty of deck chairs available to you. It is still only April, so to make sure nobody catches pneumonia in the pool, the water has been heated. Please do not heat the water further. You know what we are talking about! The Accomodations Those who have visited before may remember that the Villa doesn't exactly have enough bedrooms to house all promgoers. In fact, there have been years where you just kipped on the floor in the garage-like area. Maybe Lance is trying to match the standards set by previous organisers. Maybe there was a little extra money left over after the renovations to plurge, but this year, you won't be expected to sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag! Instead, behind the Villa, beyond the pool area, there is a field of tents. And these aren't your basic little travelling tents. These tents look pretty luxurious. True, you will still be sharing them with a few others, but at least you'll be sleeping in something like a regular bed. There are also some chairs and benches dotted around the area, where you can sit and relax, as well as a few open tents that have tables and benches inside of them where one could eat breakfast or dinner. (And, of course, there are tents available too where you can take care of the, ah, less glamourous needs of the human body. No need to bring your own TP either, it will be provided!) The tents house four people each. If you, for whatever reason, want to cram more people inside, Lance will be a little startled but will allow it. If you try to grab a tent all to yourself, Lance will give you a very disappointed look. The Surroundings If your character isn't the type to hang out for hours by the pool or spend their entire Saturday already getting ready for prom, why not go exploring a bit? The area around Tohjo Falls is normally off-limits to people, after all. This might be your only chance to see it. (unless we come back again here next year) While exploring, your character has the option of trekking into the forests behind the villa or descending into the cave that houses the waterfalls this area has been named for. Wild pokemon can be found in each area, though please be careful! As few people visit this location, the pokemon here are very unused to humans. Please always bring a strong pokemon with you when you go exploring! And who knows, if you keep an eye out, you might run into an unfamiliar pokemon or two... Forest (lvl 20-45) Charjabug, Corvisquire, Venipede, Sizzlipede, Fletchinder, Greedent*, Whirlipede*, Nincada*, Flapple**, Appletun**, Talonflame**, Ninjask**, Shiinotic**, Sprigatito**, Centiskorch***, Vikavolt***, Corviknight***, Trevenant***, Scolipede*** Cave (lvl 20-45) Sandshrew, Woobat, Rolycoly, Noibat, Roggenrola, Aron*, Glimmet*, Sandslash*, Rhyhorn*, Carkol*, Noivern**, Swoobat**, Boldore**, Fuecoco**, Lairon***, Rhydon***, Glimora*** Falls (lvl 20-45) (Fishing/Surfing) Qwilfish, Staryu, Arrokuda, Wishiwashi, Finneon*, Skrelp*, Lumineon*, Relicanth*, Starmie**, Overqwill**, Quaxly**, Seadra**, Gyrados***, Barraskewda***, Dragalge***, Kingdra***

---

THE ANNOUNCEMENT


Once everybody has arrived and has been given some time to unpack, it's time for the announcement Lance has been teasing. What is this unique opportunity he mentioned? Will this have anything to do with prom itself? Has Lance conned us all into attending a Tupperware party?

In any case, you all gather in the dining room. The Elite Four is gathered at the front of the room, Lance taking the center stage. Will is standing next to him. For a moment Lance just glances out over the crowd, as if checking that everybody is here, before he clears his throat and begins.

"First of all, let me say that I am very happy to see you all here. It's been a few years since we last were able to greet you in our home, and here is to hoping things won't end as badly as last time.

But that is not what this announcement is about. Rather, there is going to be some changes within the Elite Four. Changes we'd like to make you a part of.

A few months ago, Will announced to us that he will be stepping down from his position as Elite Four member to--" Lance seems to pause for a moment, looking at Will, "--pursue opportunities elsewhere!

Of course, we cannot leave his spot unoccupied, so in the last few months, we've been hard at work vetting and narrowing down the choices for who will replace him. And finally, we've been able to narrow it down to just two remaining candidates. It's been a struggle, let me tell you! We've had so many qualified and incredible trainers who wanted to join us, but we believe we've found the best two.

And that is where you come in!

As I said, we have been able to narrow down the field to two final choices. And what I'd like to offer you this weekend, is an opportunity to take an active part in deciding who gets to be our newest member. You all, after all, have proven over the years that you not only care about pokemon, but you've also grown to care about this world, often helping us out when situations were dire. We believe you, as much as anyone, have a right to determine the future of this region.

In just a moment, I'd like to introduce you to our two final applicants. I can already assure you that they are both excellent trainers, and very skilled battlers, as well as individuals who we believe we can rely on in a bad situation. What we'd like if for you to cast the final vote on who takes over Will's position.

Throughout this weekend, they will make themselves available for questions. Please ask them anything you wish to know, and please also discuss the manner among yourself if you wish. Whichever person you choose, know that we already feel we could work and depend on either of them. At the end of this meeting, we'll distribute voting slips to everyone. These cannot be replaced, so please hold onto them, and once you've made your choice, please submit them to the vote box in front of the Ballroom before the start of the dance. Then, during the party on Sunday, we will reveal who will become our newest members.

Now, I've said quite enough, so let me introduce you to our two final applicants--"

The dining room doors open, and two figures stride in, walking to the front to join Lance and the other Elite Four members.




"Please welcome Bede from the Galar region and Malva from the Kalos Region"

---

Not sure what is going on? Why not check out our prom FAQ

Comments

[nastyboy]

Ha. It is an extremely powerful type with weaknesses that not many trainers tend to deal in, isn't it? I won't disagree with you on that. And Poison often tends to be weak to Psychic, which Fairy types are also inclined to learning. Steel types are a little more of a solid guarantee, depending on which Fairy type is your specific opponent...

Yet, even so. Dragon once being thought of as the strongest didn't stop them from having a gym leader, or an Elite Four member.

And even so. [Dimitri grins a little more.] I would still say neither is the strongest. Because it is as you mentioned earlier - they are far from unbeatable.

To truly understand the strongest typing - which I believe is important for any trainer taking on the gym route and especially if they are aiming for the Elite Four - then you need only remember to ask each gym leader that you challenge. And, funnily enough, you will get nearly the same answer whether you ask Whitney in Goldenrod, or Misty in Ceruleean, or even Lance himself, should we bother him with such a trivial matter.

[Dimitri points to himself.]

"The best and strongest type is the type that I love." Something like that, more or less.

[He laughs a little bit again, leaning back with a fork wobbling slightly in his fingers.]

Some may say that is a bit of forceful thinking - [No not wistful thinking, he said what he said] - but I think there is a sort of value in it, myself... and I think it tends to be the sort of thinking which comes to those inclined to being traditional gym leaders.

I don't think young Bede is an exception to that - for your concerns could just as easily be applied to Claire and Lance, after all, with their fondness for the strength of dragons. I happened to listen to some of the answers he was giving, and I think he has his own fond reasons for being drawn to Fairy types that have nothing to do with wanting to take the easy way through battles.

While his attitude may seem lacking... Well, I can remember being that young, and I do have a daughter that will soon be reaching his age in the blink of an eye. So when I think of it like that... I have a feeling that some of it may simply be his way of dealing with an overwhelming situation. After all, he's a young man in a room full of adults, having to prove himself to those same adults. In his eyes, it may be better to be a little overconfident than a shrinking violet who lost out to someone with such bold confidence as Malva.

Besides, in terms of fairness... I still think it to be perfectly fair, and I don't think he is one inclined to hide anything about his team.

Although I will admit, as a trainer, I have to admit that I seek a challenge, and there have been no gyms yet that have a Fairy type focus. It would seem fitting that, to claim the title of the best, one would go up against something not seen in any of the other gyms before.

Ah - pardon me a moment. [Wow that's a lot of talking, and Dimitri picks up his glass.] It seems your passion for dialogue is infectious, sir! I don't believe I ever got your name. I am Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, and this would be Gremlin.

[The Rattata on his lap shoves in an entire drumstick into his mouth, bone and all, and maintains eye contact. He is trying to Establish Dominance. Dimitri seems oblivious to it.]

[motherofallomelettes]

[Armstrong listens to the man talk with interest. He's certainly on to something with the way that each and every Gym Leader would insist their type is the best, and it's definitely a pleasant change to encounter someone who can actually use words with more than two syllables in them, but Armstrong has encountered similar arguments for such cases before in his younger life. Being a college football star brought him into close examples of people who staunchly support their team, regardless of performance, and so he knows all-too-well the blind zealotry such thought processes can bring about.]

"Steven Armstrong. A pleasure. Don't sweat it though. Conversation and debate are the cornerstones of a healthy society, so it's good to find someone who can actually string more than two words together without it devolving into a string of insults."

[Rising from his seat, Armstrong extends his hand to Dimitri in greeting.]

"You raise an interesting point Mr. Blaiddyd. "Espirit de corps" can be a powerful force. It's been around in some capacity or another since the dawn of time, as humans just love crowding together and rooting for the Home Team. Tribemind, however natural, isn't a good criteria for judging the performance of different Pokémon though. I'm sure there's plenty of people out there who've become die-hard supporters of different types based off little more than what their favorites were as a kid or what the local Gym Leader happens to use but, just like the yokel who's a ride-or-die supporter of his local football team despite their decades-long streak of losses, that comes down more to a sense of loyalty and belonging than it does to actual resorts."

[Provided that Dimitri accepted Armstrong's handshake the giant man would seat himself again, providing a deliberate pause in the conversation for his words to marinate.]

"I'm sure that people would continue to have irrational attachments to this type or that type and that we'd see play of all kinds of teams regardless of what holds the top spot. That's just human nature. From all the data I've collated and the course curriculum for the Violet Trainer School there's a clear advantage to using Fairy Types. I can get why people would want that to be in the Elite Four as it would definitely mean a challenge but I'm of the opinion that, if we the Trainers are expected to seek out a challenge, then that same expectation should go doubly for those who hold positions as the pinnacle of the Pokémon League."

[Taking a sip from his drink to wet his palette, Armstrong would continue.]

"That's not even considering all the psychological and developmental reasons not to put the youngster into that role though. I applaud his go-getter attitude and the clear skill he has as a trainer, but the simple truth is that it rarely ends well putting people as young as him into roles with the sheer amount of responsibility and pressure as something like the Elite Four. They're the pinnacle of what a Trainer can achieve and the gold-standard so any shortcomings are going to be ruthlessly identifiable to the public, and people feel little need to hold back when it comes to voicing their thoughts on public figures. It's an epidemic where I come from, with young folks putting themselves out there into positions of fame and influence only to have it cripple their development and leave them with lasting psychological issues because they weren't of an age to be able to handle it without recieving scars that won't soon go away."

[Shaking his head at the very-real cases he's seen of people being thrown to the wolves thanks to living their lives in the spotlight, Armstrong lets out a heavy sigh before returning his attention to Dimitri.]

"I don't know if they have them where you're from Mr. Blaiddyd, but in my world there's an ever-rising number of young people who've sought-out jobs as what's called an "Influencer". It's basically someone who lives their entire life under a constant spotlight of attention via something similar to the network we use here, and it's an exacerbation of the same kind of problems seen in childhood stars for television and movies in earlier ages as well. As someone who lives his own life under the spotlight I can tell you that it's not something that someone still at such an influential age should be doing, and there are countless results of... unhappy endings... for such people to prove that point. Far better for him to be able to learn and grow in an environment like those that Gym Leaders have, where the attention they receive is much more measured and much better contained, and to be able to make choices and enact change on their own controlled environment instead of being thrust hook, line, and sinker into something like the Elite Four."

[Dimitri seems much better-spoken than many of the people he's encountered not just in the world of Pokémon, but back in his world as well, so Armstrong hopes the points he's raising make any sense. Who knows what things are like in each person's individual home so, for all he knows, he's putting things out there that Dimitri doesn't have a single frame of reference for. Still, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so all he can do is try.]

"I respect the hell out of the skill he's shown, but he's only just started on his career. The Elite Four isn't going anywhere and neither is he, so there's no rush for him to get into a position like that yet. Let him take on the scary journey of becoming a teenager, figure out who he wants to be as an adult, and go through the roller-coaster-ride of emotions and experiences he's bound to take on without having his every movement scrutinized over social media. Then, if he still wants to do it down the line, he'll be even better prepped for the position. It's called a Pokémon Journey after all, and even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. No need to try to take the whole thing in one bound."

[nastyboy]

[Dimitri can at least be pleased to say he was raised with some basic manners - and far more detailed etiquette, which he is extremely pleased has become wholly unnecessary during both times of war and after being transported to an entirely different world and culture. He accepts the hand offered to him readily, although his grip is careful, as always.]

[Even after a couple of years living in this world, well, he lived with strength that could shatter metal for much longer. It's an ingrained habit at this point when he interacts with other people.]

A pleasure indeed, for you seem like the perfect man for such a conversation.

[Dimitri doesn't say it is because Steven appears to be an older gentleman, and he knows well enough that age doesn't dictate everything about a person's personality... But, well, it's as the old saying goes, yes? With age comes experience, and it's nice to see some level headed maturity there, even with all the passion.]

[After all, as a man who was in his mid-20s himself when he arrived, it hasn't gone over his head that many of the people who arrive in Johto are relatively young - still adults, but newly so. Perhaps it's just a little more familiar to see someone older.]

[But that's besides the point, really, or at least not the main focus of this conversation. Dimitri settles back again, nearly forgetting his food as Steven begins to talk about things in his own world. The idea of an influencer in that exact word and the way they spread such influence isn't something native to his homeland of Faerghus, no, but... Dimitri frowns a little, nodding along with each point made.]

I have to admit that you make fair points. The idea of an "influencer" as such was not something found exactly in my own homeland, but I have some experience in similar situations. I will not bore you with the details, but circumstances lead to me having to take on a great deal of responsibility at a rather young age myself, with many eyes on my person from the views that I took even as a child to how I behaved.

Of course, I admit that I was far younger than Bede is right now, and the circumstances cannot be compared exactly, but I believe the core issues are similar enough. It can be suffocating to exist in such a capacity that eyes seem to be eternally on your person, to know that the choices you make will matter more than ever before. It is, to put it all rather bluntly, a miserable experience.

[Dimitri would do it all again if he had to, of course, but that's because he's well aware that he had no choice, not truly. Even disregarding the matter of his own station, well, when he'd thought of the other options... They'd all been unacceptable, and he'd never once budged on that decision even as he'd grown.]

[Although that has him think of something else, even as he idly scratches behind Gremlin's ears.]

Although I suppose in some way that I found myself fortunate. While I had recently lost my family at that point in my life, leading to that predicament in the first place, I was blessed to have at my side a friend of my father's who was well versed in everything that was falling onto my lap and how to deal with the vast amount of attention focusing in on me. Through his efforts, I was kept out of the worst of the storm, and trained so that I could out on my own when the time eventually came that I could not arguably hide behind his own name.

[Granted, then here was a war, and his uncle was murdered, and Dimitri had to fake his own death...]

[As he said: he won't bother with the various troublesome details.]

[Instead, he glances back to where he'd last seen the Elite Four, thoughtful.]

The circumstances here, while still serious and important in their own right, are less lethal in that respect. So with that in consideration, I wonder if Lance and the others could prove to be of help in a similar way - shielding him from some of the more intense attention, guiding him through the demands and requests of such a position, and helping ensure that he could still live out through some of his youth.

What do you think of them?

[motherofallomelettes]

[Dimitri's bearing and diction struck Armstrong as more than simply well-spoken. There was a deliberateness to the way each word was chosen that came off as almost stately. At the very least he would wager that the man had spent more than a little time pressed into situations that required public speaking and, given what he just said about living life in the public eye, it would seem that guess would be accurate.]

"I've found a frustratingly large amount of the people I've interacted with draw their judgements based on what's considered normal in this world instead of using the experiences and views they would have held in their own homes, so it's nice to see someone who possesses the critical thinking to be able to see where the cracks might show in things around here. In regards to what I think of the Elite Four? Hmmm..."

[Armstrong taps his index finger against his lip thoughtfully.]

"They're professionals and they're at the top of their field, but it seems that the positions they hold largely represent a figurehead-like significance. For people who hold the dual responsibilities of athletes and lawmen they're remarkably distant from the people they're supposed to protect, and private islands like this don't exactly fill me with confidence that they've got much notion what the "average joe" of this place has to contend with."

[Giving a begrudging shrug, he continues.]

"Still, I respect their skill and the dedication they've shown to the art of Pokemon Training. Their name says it all. They're ELITE, so I would want them to have a teammate who reflects the same skills and experience, rather than having to learn and grow in the position in order to be able to fill it well. It should be something you come into, much like an important command position in the military, at the apex of your career rather than in it's early days."

[Using his drink as a way to manufacture a pause in the conversation, Armstrong takes a sip and places the up back onto the table before continuing.]

"As for things here, they might be tranquil for the most part but the stories I've heard and reports I've seen of what does happen are frankly stunning. There's a very traditional city north of Goldenrod that was trashed by a Legendary Bird under literal possession by a Dark Spirit. That... That is something out of Scooby-Doo, but yet it's the kind of reality that people contend with out in this place. In my world that's called a 364/1 kind of deal, in that it will be sunshine and rainbows 364 days of the year... but then that 1 day will bring the brutality missing from all the other days down-upon you in a single stroke."

[Armstrong pauses again momentarily, stopping instead to take a breath and think of the many positions he'd held in his own life that fit that description.]

"Guns or Ghouls, though, danger is danger and the Elite Four are the people expected to answer to those kinds of calls. Whether or not he's got the skills or the talent to handle something like that, I'm not of the mind that we should be manufacturing the Pokemon equivalent of child soldiers when there are other equally-accessible options available to us. God forbid he fails to rescue someone and has that weight on his shoulders. That kind of thing would break a strong adult, so imagine the effect it would have on someone as prickly and emotionally immature as him."

[nastyboy]

Ha, you flatter me, sir. Besides, I can hardly take so much credit in a compliment such as that. I had thought myself having considered a great deal while weighing the choices between the pair, and yet it's clear that there's still more to think about. I ought to thank you for giving me the chance.

Arguing can be frustrating when in excess, but... Truly, people can't make the best choices without some debate, can they?

[Different experiences, ways of thought, and even living are all invaluable. He's always thought that - which is why it always used to annoy him when certain people back home were so resistant to it. In contrast, it's clear that the man before him is considering everything deeply, and has a library of experience.]

[And maybe it's good to get into an energetic discussion like this, one that gets him out of his own head. Perhaps he should find Claude, and introduce the pair.]

[And then promptly leave, assured of a conversation that could go on for twenty four hours.]

The politics are a mystery as well, truth to be told, and I have often wondered just how they work, especially to manage a place that is so peaceful with little troubles to it. [Not exempt of troubles, but... Less than he's used to.] I have only seen Lance himself directly address us once before, although I have not been here as long as many others, and I do have to say that he did seem to be somewhat proactive. Thus, my hope had been that he would be sensible enough to not throw someone so new - and especially young - right into the thick of things.

Of course, I understand one's hopes do not necessarily represent the actual facts of the matter. It would have been better to have a little more time to research the duties of the Elite Four and how everything functions... I am sure that it must be written about somewhere. Such a public group cannot escape inquiring minds.

[Gremlin suddenly smacks at his wrist a bit, and Dimitri starts before remembering himself. Right, right - a drink as well, and a bite of his food, to at least occupy himself before it goes cold. It gives him an opportunity to stew over his own thoughts as well.]

For all is dangers, even without taking into account the single day you have mentioned, one would think that they have things in place... But with the complaints about our situation that I've heard in my time here, they may well not.

[Dimitri thinks it works out perfectly fine, and is very Faerghan in all honesty (yeah send a 10 year old out on the road, it's fine), but he can also understand that other people have valid issues with it, and there are definitely ways it could be improved. Better camping equipment, for starters, and that'd be assuming they'd keep with the tradition....]

[It's an entirely different conversation, in the end.]

So it's something I'll definitely have to look into, and see what I can learn in the short amount of time we have. I doubt it will be a satisfactory look, honestly, but even a little information is invaluable...

[Setting down his fork, Dimitri sighs and then chuckles.]

It makes me almost envious of my daughter. She's already staunchly made up her mind without a second's hesitation, but here I am, putting more thought into it. But that's how it's supposed to be, isn't it? It is the responsibility of adults to help the younger generation, whether that is opening the doorway to their goals, or pulling the back out of the line of danger, and we must think carefully on which is appropriate when.

[motherofallomelettes]

[Armstrong nods in acknowledgment as Dimitri talks. He's touched on a topic that Amstrong himself finds both infinitely interesting and endlessly fascinating. The regions are certainly peaceful, but the lack of safeguards and isolated nature of each of of their cities feels deliberate given the level of technology and excess available in their world.]

"The suddenness of this vote was quite alarming, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't find the idea that we're making this decision off what basically boils down to a single cursory interview disconcerting. They don't even give us the chance to fact check what the candidates are saying before casting our votes, so they could be claiming they're the monarch of the moon for pete's sakes and we'd just have to take their words for it. With all the planning that went into the rest of the event though, it's hard to see a move like that as anything but deliberate. They want use to be making these votes based on surface-level information and everything about how they've set this thing up ensures that we won't be able to look any deeper into the matter."

[Realizing that he's entering into territory that could be considered conspiratorial, Armstrong does his best to maintain a body language that shows he's being analytical and level-headed in his thought process. Leaning forward onto the table, he pushes his glasses back into place and folds his hand together thoughtfully before continuing.]

"I think you may have inadvertently hit the nail on the head in regards to how they keep it so free of conflict in this land, as venturing outside each of the cities or habitations here is tantamount to taking your life in your hands. When the only people taking the roads are those who prescribe to the Pokemon Journey you've spent millions on seeding into the public consciousness and the roadways monopolized by the big corporations are somehow entirely forgotten it's easy to maintain control. People are kept happy and docile by having their needs met and their aggression vented through harmless battles, but those who dare to venture off the course the powers that be laid out for them are generally met with harsh realities."

[As a business owner himself Armstrong had exploited more than a few loopholes to land lucrative contracts or muscle through things like zoning restrictions that would have stood in the way of his interests, so he's quite wise to the kinds of games he sees being played here in the Pokemon world. Only the fact that the majority of people who wash up on the shores of this interdimensional crossroads seem to be lacking in experience with regards to the large-scale business stops more people from noticing that a handful of people and corporations seem to own everything in this world and that, by extension, stops some very uncomfortable questions from being asked about the world they all reside in now.]

"Those who try to build something themselves or do business in a market that the powers that be already have cornered will find themselves outbid and outgunned in short order. If they control the means of production, the means of transportation, and the system that approves aquisition and construction how is anyone supposed to do anything but the vanilla existence that's laid out to us arriving here? Hell, from the time you wake up here you're handed a Pokemon and shoved out the door to go "adventure" without being able to ask a single question or voice a single protest. You're simply expected to consume the product they're feeding you, and that's a level of dangerous that belies the seemingly tranquil surroundings we find ourselves in."

[Leaning back in his chair now Armstrong decides to shift gears to something a little less intense, but still remain on the crux of the issue.]

"Talking about this kind of thing in a peer-to-peer manner like this isn't going to cause any problems, but I can all but guarantee you there'd be some retaliation if you started making a stink on a larger scale. The "network", the social media of this world, is a single platform. There's no competition or other options for where to hold your conversations, and the radio and television towers are all owned by equally inflexible a list of corporations as well. It's a good thing they consider us "outworlder" beneath them or they'd probably have the pair of us on some kind of watch list just for talking like we are here."

[nastyboy]

[Listening to this man very much reminds Dimitri of Claude - always poking at various little details, testing to see what things can push through the cracks, an all consuming desire to understand how every single piece of an object fits into place and why.]

[It's not that Dimitri doesn't try himself, of course, but he has to admit that people such as this have a sort of passion and way of thinking which is unique to them.]

[Also, a small additional bonus is that such a speech not only gives him much to think about, but plenty of time to finish off his meal, setting both plate and cutlery to the side.]

The overwhelming strength of certain businesses is hard to ignore, when you start to realize their existence. Sylph Co. in particular has an amazing amount of strength for a single business that, quite frankly, makes me uneasy.

[And the questionable experiments, obviously.]

Still, I endeavor to not assume the worst of people - especially in recent years. [Recent years after five spent doing just that, unable to trust anyone or even anything.] I would argue that they are not so isolated that they may seem, even with the dangers which may seem to swarm the places inbetween their towns. After all, it is not an isolated people who seem so completely at ease as to have a tradition in which they send their children out along roads, and to visit various other places. It displays a trust in many things which are otherwise out of their immediate control.

That is a great deal more confidence and reassurance than would be seen in my own homeland, certainly.

[Of course, no one would send off their ten year old to do as they pleased - not when there was the house to take care of, the crops to raise, animals which needed tending. The prosperity of Johto and Kanto - all the countries as far as he can tell - is what is of most interest to him. Dimitri shakes his head, to bring his mind back to the topic at hand.]

Still, it is a sad thing to give up before even trying. So why not see if any obstacles lay in our path if we were to try and make a network of our own?

My apologies for the delay in response. It has been a *busy* week

[motherofallomelettes]

"I'm a firm believer in hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. If I've landed on the doorstep of a corporate oligopoly of a world I'm going to do my darndest to color within the proverbial lines until I have the resources pooled to help people operate independently of the shackles they've grown so familiar with wearing."

[Armstrong places his hand thoughtfully on his chin, searching for the best way to assemble his words to show what kinds of things he's talking about. After a moment of consideration, he folds his hands back together and continues.]

"There's nothing in the way of outreach or assistance. From the time you come in here you're shoved out the door and told to hit the road and nobody tells you a thing about what to do or where to go. You give me a year and I'll have castaway outreach programs in-place that'll put an end to that nonsense. People will wash-up in this place and actually have some direction. Camping kits, per diem, transportation. That's the kind of thing that should have been in place years ago but nobody gave enough of a damn to do anything about it. With as much wealth and influence as these corporations seem to have you'd think they'd leap at the chance to support systems that let them use the government as a stable supplier of their products, but I'm guessing that the fact that it's us "otherworlders" that we're talking about here made them stop caring the minute it came up."

[Armstrong shakes his head solemnly. The more he learned about this world the more the scales seemed tipped against any and every person who didn't originate from it. None of them had decided to wash-up here though, so he'd be damned if he was just going to roll over and show his belly to a system that arbitrarily decided to put him in an outplacement for no other reason that he was better at things than the world's original inhabitants.]

"You seem to have a positive outlook on things though, and that's important for being thrust into someplace so far away from anything any of us are familiar with. Don't take my cynical tone as an indication that I intend to do anything but my best in these new surroundings though. By this time next year "Armstrong" will be a household name in the region, and I hope to make everyone the better for it."