[video / action for Goldenrod]

[meteorman]

A. [Video]

[The camera turns on facing what looks like a grungy Goldenrod back alley. There's some boxes, a trash bin, some stray bags... why is anyone broadcasting this?

Well, the thing is, isn't not just anyone. It's Ford Pines.]

Look at this! Trubbish in their natural habitat! [He's whispering into the camera so as not to disturb them. One of the 'trash bags' stirs but otherwise they seem content.] I almost mistook them for actual trash; their camouflage is really quite something. And the smell...

[He doesn't seem bothered. If anything, he's geeking out. Good lord.]

I have to catch one. Come on, Nautilus. [An Omanyte scootches into frame. Suddenly the alley is full of wide-open bright eyes. The Trubbish scatter. In the ensuing commotion one of them takes a Water Gun straight to the face, and he throws the pokeball before it can collect itself. It wobbles and then does the signature capture sound. Victory!]

Ahah, excellent! -- But what do I call it?

B. [Action / Goldenrod Department Store]

[When he arrived in Goldenrod at the end of October, Ford only intended to stay as long as it took to take care of team Skull and then head back to Violet. It's now been over two weeks and he still hasn't left; in fact, he went ahead and got his job transferred from the Violet Pokemon Center to the Goldenrod branch. He probably won't stay here permanently, but there's such a wealth of places to visit and explore that he owes it to the city to give it a good couple of months.

And, while he's here, he can do some much-needed shopping. First on his list was an Everstone for his Starly Hermes, and after perusing the other available stones he's switched to looking at TMs. If he remembers anything from his breeding guidebook (and he'd like to think he does) then a Pokemon bred with TM moves is likely to sell for quite a bit more than one with its bog-standard moveset. It's worth looking into for that reason alone. He still can't get over Plumeria's Golbat and how it knew Overheat, either, and if he can expand some movesets... well. He does love fiddly strategy. His own Golbat, Claudia, is perched on his shoulder.]

What do you think? Sludge Bomb? It always hits and you'd have a good chance of inflicting poison. You can also learn U-Turn and it would be helpful against Psychic types, but I don't know how often it would actually come in handy...

[Claudia, who presumably hears most of his talking as endearing gibberish even if she gets the gist of it, yawns.]

Hm.

You! [He flags down a nearby shopper.] What do you think?

Comments

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack lets out an offended sound on the behalf of Trubbish everywhere.]}

Honestly. While I love a good scare, that's just a cruel thing to say to a Pokemon--unless you mean it as a compliment of course. I have met some revolting Grimer on my journeys. Wonderful, wonderful Pokemon! If I ever met a Grimer that wasn't at least a little nasty, I would be afraid it was ill!

_{[He can tell right away that this fellow is going to be someone he wants to talk to again. Jack allows his Vulpix to hop down from his arms and extends a spidery hand to Ford.]}

Let me introduce myself! I'm Jack Skellington, I run the bed and breakfast here in Goldenrod. I collect the scariest Pokemon I can find--if you happen to discover any new ones, would you let me know right away?

[meteorman]

[Oh, right. A handshake. He's always had a little trouble with handshakes for Certain Reasons, because even in the most fantastic of alien words it's hard to get over one's own insecurities. There's a moment's hesitation before he takes Jack's hand, but his handshake itself is quite firm. Maybe it's the extra finger, or maybe it's the incredible focus on physical fitness, or maybe it's a natural extension of his overbearing personality. Probably it's all three.]

Stanford Pines, PhD.

[Is that necessary information? Probably not. It's just that he has twelve of them and all.]

I haven't had the chance to study a Grimer yet and I feel as though I'm missing out. The Pokemon that have evolved in response to human interference or that are man-made are far and away the most interesting to me. Golett and Golurk are entirely man-made. I don't think you can get spookier than a race of ghostly statues tasked with protecting a civilization that no longer exists. So there's one to start with.

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack's face lights up at this news! Oh, he has something in mind that this fellow is just going to LOVE if he isn't aware of them already! Also Jack has worked at the Game Corner now thanks to his...occupation...and knows about the prizes.]}

I must tell you about Porygon if you haven't heard about it already! It's also man-made, a digital Pokemon!

[meteorman]

I have, in fact! I made it a point to read the entire Pokedex several times over to become acquainted with this universe, and the Porygon family in particular is of great interest to me. A fully-digital man-made being capable of organic thought and independent action is not something you see every day.

[quickattackjack]

Isn't it fantastic? That this world could produce its own Doctor Frankenstein?

[meteorman]

Are you implying that Porygon was cobbled together from various half-obsolete programs? What a way to use left-over code...

[quickattackjack]

I can't be sure! I haven't looked into it more deeply yet...but imagine if it was made from scratch!

_{[What did that liken the humans of this world to?]}

[meteorman]

Now, I fully admit that coding is not my strong suit, but I have a friend who is easily the top of that field. Should he ever fall into the universe -- and I find it highly likely considering how many of my immediate friends and family seem to have done so -- I'll make it a point to consult him.

If it was made from scratch that raises some very interesting questions about the nature of intelligence and artificial life and, specifically, what string of letters and numbers can create it.

[quickattackjack]

Oh, you have family here? That's wonderful!

_{[The Vulpix rolls her eyes. Eugh. Attachments!]}

Well, a doctor friend of mine was able to perform some amazing feats. He did create the love of my life out of things you wouldn't expect...so perhaps the scientists here are just as clever.

[meteorman]

He created--

[Now, most people would probably be horrified or at the very least disbelieving at hearing those words. Ford looks absolutely delighted.]

That's marvelous! What materials? What was the process? What kind of maintenance does the body require, if any? Did the body have basic knowledge upon being given consciousness or was it a blank slate?

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack shifts Spitfire in his arms so that he can thoughtfully tap his chin.]}

Well...she's mostly burlap and leaves. She doesn't talk about the early days.

_{[His brow creases a bit as he thinks back on that. He feels bad for not noticing SO MUCH back home.]}

[meteorman]

Burlap and leaves.

[He doesn't seem incredulous or at least, if he's incredulous, it's because that's just so incredible.]

That must have been quite a feat, whatever the science behind it. Perhaps one day I'll stumble into your world and have the chance to ask her myself.

[Which is honestly pretty likely, given his track record.]

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack snaps back to the present and gives Ford a grin.]}

We'd love to have you over for spider tarts!

and i'd say this is about done-ish?

[meteorman]

[It probably says a lot about Ford that the mention of spider tarts doesn't seem to deter him at all. He's eaten bugs before. It's a crazy multiverse.]

I'll keep that in mind.