video (OTA) and a closed log

[phdepression]

[The video opens at New Bark Town, overlooking Professor Elm's lab. While the camera is bobbing up and down slowly, the picture seems clear despite something blue is covering top right of the screen.]

"Star Platinum. Over here."

[There's a very loud gurgle from whoever is holding the camera. The camera turns to a man standing by the water, clad in snakeskin pants and a bright purple hat and jacket.]

"I could have used text but I figured this would be best for getting my name and face out there." [He sighs, muttering 'good grief' before continuing]. "My name is Jotaro Kujo. I'm a marine biologist and an oceanographer. I figured since I'm here, might as well put my skills to use and do some research. So... how do I get grants here? Do I need to reapply for my doctorate so it's more Pokemon-orientated? Or is there someone I battle in order to get my degree? I wanted to ask the professor here but he's not in so... answer."

[Thanks Jotaro]

--------------

[Ordinarily, Jotaro was pretty sure he could make it from New Bark Town to Cherrygrove City in two days. However, with the snowfall, the hike may be longer than three days, especially if he gets lost. Not that he will but Jotaro likes preparing for these things, even if prep is prolonged by the lack of stores in the town. But Jotaro makes do with what he has and he's confident he can make it surviving a week if need be.

He just has to do his final checks. Bag? Safely strapped to him. Pokemon? Star Platinum is in his ball. Map? Got it. Messages? Well, he doesn't need to send it again (he sent one to both Jolyne and Emporio when he got here). So... good. He's ready. He just needs to scan the horizon, try to predict the next snowstorm and...

...

Is that a green dragon over the horizon?]

Comments

[strings_theory]

[A very green dragon that has two very not doing so well passengers on her back, but at least Tear mostly understands the assignment of what is going on here. And is doing her best to land mostly softly enough to not entirely jostle her passengers.

Not that it lasts too long as Jolyne's just kind of sliding off said dragon and, uh, giving herself a minute of using her to keep her balance and taking a deep breath. Warp sickness fucking sucks and she always forgets this until after the fact.]

Never again.

[insidescoop]

[The first woman is joined by a second- rather, the first woman slides off and is immediately followed by a second, who naturally faceplants into the half-melted snow when her wife stands without her.]

WOO-GH-

[halp

Well, eventually she's standing, if it can be called that. Tear's wings are great supports! (Sorry Tear)]

It was... HHgng-

[Scuse her, she's trying not to hurl,]

...It was the fastest way to get here in person...

[They appear not to have quite noticed Jotaro yet.]

[phdepression]

[Jotaro recognises Tear, even before he sees Jolyne and another mysterious woman stumble off the dragon. He nods his cap towards the dragon in greeting before he begins to slowly walk over. Jotaro has very much noticed them.]

I'm surprised... I said I was heading to Cherrygrove. I didn't think you would get here so quickly, Jolyne.

[strings_theory]

[Tear just rumbles in acknowledgement since, well, she's kind of being the support here between her trainer and doofus wife, clearly. She is stuck.

Jolyne's groaning in response at Carly's words before mostly pulling herself together and rubbing at her face. Oh, right, her dad. Duh, the reason they're here.]

Took some doing but, uh, when I said I was going to get here I meant it. Though Carly's mostly the one that, uh, figured out the logistics.

[insidescoop]

[The way Carly perks up it's like someone waved smelling salts in her face.]

THAT'S RIGHT!

[So she cheers, standing straight up.] It was obvious that putting things off was just going to be upsetting, so we went straight for the warp pad! ...besides, being honest I think the investigation's stalled enough that we can take our sweet time getting back, and we may as well pass a tent along while we're at it...

[Unless you wanna sleep under the stars in the snow. That could be arranged.

....she's missing a step here isn't she.

(The step is introducing herself)]

VIDEO

[seacub]

[HEY IT'S YOU-]

D...Dr. Kujo!

You made it here!

[hooree sheet-]

[phdepression]

Hello Emporio.

Yes. I did. Glad I am not dead. [Jotaro!]

Anything change while I was gone?

[seacub]

[sir please]

Well, Santa's delibirds were kidnapped...

[what]

...But Hermana and her wife went to help with the investigation for that. I thought about it, but there's a few things at the Gym I wanted to help out with first, so I'll probably fly out closer to when they solve it. You're just in time for the holidays at least!

[phdepression]

... I see.

[SURE. THAT MAY AS WELL HAPPEN. SANTA EXISTS AND HE HAS POKEMON.]

Hopefully, they sort things out. Sounds like there's a lot of work to be done. [He... skips over the part about the holidays though. He doesn't want to think about them.]

Where is your gym located?

[seacub]

Haha, there sure is..! Oh- but, it's not my Gym, it's Armin's. I'm just helping around a little while I plan mine, actually. It's a lot of work, and I don't want it to just be an 'arena' if that makes sense...

...it's been really good learning here though. And, they have a Lapras breeding program, they're no longer endangered now!

[he should explain what a lapras is, but it hasn't occurred to him yet]

[video]

[pennyloafer]

Marine biologist, huh? Boy, do I know someone you ought to meet.

[Louie snickers.]

I'm Louie, nice to meet'cha. My boss is really into all that sea-life stuff. I work at a pokemon gym that doubles as an aquarium, and-- Well, it sounds up your alley. The gym leader, Armin, isn't from this place, either, but he's been here... I don't know. Pretty much forever. He could probably answer a lot of your questions.

I wouldn't be surprised if you hear from him soon just because you mentioned marine biology and oceanography, but you can always stop by the Pelagic Gym when you've got your bearings and everything. Even if Armin's not in, I probably will be anytime in the winter. If not me, there's others, and Emporio or Angel could show you around too.

[phdepression]

You as well. [Jotaro says, very formally.] Hmm... Armin. It does sound like someone I want to meet.

[Jotaro's face is stoic but internally he's vibrating with excitement. Fuck yes! An aquarium! In a different world! With all new species!] Where is the Pelagic gym? Just so I can mark it on my map...

[Wait a second...]

Ah, you know Emporio too?

[pennyloafer]

We're on a smaller island off one of the big Sevii Islands, Island Four. The other ones around us are mostly just uninhabited, so it should stand out.

[But... Hmm. This guy knows Emporio, huh? There is every chance this could just be someone from Emporio's home - but that still doesn't mean good things, necessarily. Louie is, as he so often gets in cases like this, cautiously suspicious.]

Yeah, I've known him almost since I first got here. How do you know him?

[phdepression]

[Understandable. Honestly, he'd be the same if their positions were reversed.]

I don't know him much. But he saved my daughter's life and helped recover my soul. I owe him a lot.

video

[epitaffio]

You know... I've never actually heard of people getting doctorates here. Uh, people from other worlds, anyway.

[Huh! Like, yeah, he figures it's not usually anybody's first priority, but still. Huh!!!]

[phdepression]

I figured it would be a good way to learn the academic standard here. And get resources for research.

[A shame! Especially when people from other worlds can offer so many new perspectives!]

[epitaffio]

[Okay no he has to say something about those priorities--]

... You must really like that sort of stuff, huh?

[phdepression]

I like the ocean. And I like marine life.

[He says, like it's a fact of life (it is).]

[epitaffio]

[... Yeah, alright.]

Well... At least you'll have plenty to study here!

video;

[schachmeister]

[This response is very late in the coming. In fact, it isn't until days after Jotaro made his entry that Armin finally has a chance to respond. It's just -- honeymoons. Travelling. It keeps a guy busy.

But he's home now, ready to return to normal life. And to Armin, this is very exciting!]

A marine biologist? Louie did say he had found another nerd, but I had no idea he was talking about an actual marine biologist.

[Armin is practically buzzing, like he just met some sort of rockstar.]

It's a pity Mr Pines isn't here anymore. He would've known about getting grants. There is a marine lab on Island Four that you might be interested in checking out though. They might be able to help you out.

Oh. Wait. I never introduced myself, did I. I'm Armin and, well, I'm certainly no marine biologist. But I've been dreaming of the ocean since I was young. And it has been everything I could've hoped and more.

Not here

[strings_theory]

[There is a disturbance in the force and all Jolyne can do is feel a chill down her spine.

NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERDS]

[phdepression]

[Jotaro's video is largely his face since the wind whipping around him makes it hard to hear Armin. Normally, he would be holding it in a more convenient position but he's still in the middle of his high-speed journey to Goldenrod City and he can't slow down... but that doesn't mean he can't take a call!]

Well, if he would have known, I assume I can get one. Emporio's around Four Island so I'll ask him when I get there.

...

Ah. I'm Jotaro. It's good to meet someone else who likes the ocean... I've been studying the ocean for the last 15 years, it's as much a passion as it is work.

[schachmeister]

Yes, I know. He lives with me, in fact. Are you heading this way, then?

That's incredible. Back where I am from, most people don't even know the ocean exists. It's not even that they don't believe in it, they don't even know about the concept of 'an ocean'. I was, ah, lucky to have access to some illegal literature, else I would've been as ignorant as everyone else.

[phdepression]

Eventually. I am trying to get to Goldenrod City before the holidays to meet up with my daughter and her wife. After that, I plan on going there.

... It sounds like you come from a very tragic world. Especially if you had to access banned books for things like the ocean.

[schachmeister]

You have family here? You are lucky.

[He absolutely has not figured out yet he is Jolyne's dad.]

It was. Far more than I realised when I lived there. I knew it was a cruel world, though beautiful in its own ways, but... I think sometimes you need distance to truly see the full extend of everything. Distance and more information. There was a lot we didn't know at the time.