victory_road | [Video]

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Hello. I am asking for help from the more experienced travelers here.

[Rui seems completely calm and at ease, even though there is a cartoonish chase scene consisting of Flabebe being chased by Sprigatito going in and out of the screen.]

I have been traveling the last 2 weeks, and quite frankly, its been a bit...unbearable due to the weather. We've made it to Violet City, but other than getting a job, I'm not sure how I would be able to manage staying here until it warms up.

[A loud cry can be heard and now a Pawmi has joined the chase.]

So, I'm wondering how other people travel in winter safely? Although, I will also take any general traveling tips as well.

Thank you.

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[You know that's just the kind of thing that happens when you have Paliens. Now that he's got a large enough bit of land where everyone can have their own space, Dimitri has managed to find some space not occupied by Pokemon shenanigans, but, you know, only sometimes.]

[Still, this frees him up to answer the question properly instead of being distracted.]

Well, there are a variety of ways, truly. I found that one way that, at the very least, greatly assisted my own efforts in the early days was by getting those of my companions who were strong enough - in my case, a few of my Raticate - and having them pull along a sled.

My traveling party at the time was rather large, so it could not accomodate us, but it did help with our things, and having lighter packs was a good thing to consider on the occasions when we had to deal with snow.

Although I will say that if you make the move from Violet City to Azalea, you will at least have the benefit of traversing through a cave. It lacks sunlight, which will make everything colder unless you are in the company of a fire type, but it will shield you from most of the wind and snow, or hail or rain depending on what weather comes about.

[Rui rubs the back of his head and frowns. That's not exactly the kind of news he was hoping for, but it is more than he had figured he'd get.]

A sled is a good idea.

[Though, given his three small pokemon, two of which are even more adverse to the cold than he is due to their typing, he doubts that'll be useful right away.]

What I'm getting from this, is that I need a fire type. Being anywhere colder than what we've been dealing with sounds...Well, I think, I'd rather get a job before I'd face that.

[The flabebe flies in between Rui and the camera. There's a brief moment where the camera is jostled, and when it's straightened, Rui is holding his struggling sprigatito in his free arm.]

Having their assistance is certainly invaluable, I have found... My own starter companion was a fire type and he made cold nights considerably more bearable.

[Dimitri could have suffered through fall and winter perfectly fine on his own, sure, but he was traveling with a child at the time. A good warm fire and a toasty fur cloak were absolutely a necessity there.]

Are you familiar with any breeders yet? If not, I could speak to a lover of mine. I am sure that some amongst his number would hatch with a fire move, although I would trust you would give them proper care beyond such things, and it would take time in order to have the egg hatch.

I've met one once, but I haven't really been in this world long enough to make friends yet.

[Not that he is actually expecting to make friends given his track record.]

I'm grateful for the offer. Of course I take care of all of my pokemon to the best of my ability regardless of if they have a useful move for a given situation, and I would do the same to any pokemon entrusted to me. I may be relatively new to this world, but I already see them as dear companions.

Then there should be no trouble.

[Dimitri tilts his head to the side with a smile.]

I believe my Emboar has actually been attempting to court one of my other companions for some time... I can see if the odds on eggs would do well in that regard, so long as that is not a companion you would mind. Alternatively, my Talonflame may bear eggs as well.

[Rui rubs the back of his head with his free hand.]

I'm afraid I still don't know much about pokemon yet, so I'm not sure what an Emboar or a Talonflame are, so I don't mind much either way. If your Emboar is already courting another pokemon, perhaps that is the best bet?

Oh, well - I could easily show you, if you like! Dean accompanies me everywhere, so I need only go to the next room so that he would have the space. And I could tell you about how it was to raise him from a small Tepig to where he is now.

[Even if... it was kind of the opposite there for a while...]

[Sometimes you're just in the middle of a breakdown and it's the pig's job to make sure you eat regularly.]

While it would take me a moment long, I could do the same for my Talonflame.

I would love to meet your pokemon partners if it isn't too much trouble. I'm quite curious about the kinds of pokemon that exist, and it may be beneficial in choosing which one to receive an egg from if I know more about them.

Honestly, they are so varied and interesting, I cannot blame you in that respect. I have had a wonderful time, coming to know all of them.

But, ah, one moment.

[And don't... mind his thumb over the lens... Dimitri still forgets tech etiquette sometimes. He is but a simple knight from ye olden times. There's the sound of footsteps, and then Dimitri's voice again.]

Ah, there you are, Dean. I was hoping to introduce you to someone, to show what a fully evolved Emboar looks like.

[The thumb gets removed, the camera positioned again, and boy! Is there a Very Large Emboar standing right there, wearing... a pair of blue Hello Skitty glasses on his snout? Listen, he is near-sighted. He is also clearly taller than the owner of the camera, at least by a little bit.]

When they first start as Tepig, they are not nearly as large, ah ha... But the flames have always been welcome.

[Rui chuckles softly at the thumb covering the lens. He can't help but think the pokemon in front of him is cute with those glasses.]

I see. It is nice to meet you...Dean, is it?

[Rui gets a serious look on his face for a moment because while a bipedal pokemon would be easier to help get ready for shows, and the fire on his shoulders would help in the cold, he has to worry if there's a risk of the fire going out of control.]

May I ask if raising Dean had any particular challenges or conversely, any strengths in areas?

Challenges... Hm.

[Dimitri has to think hard for this one. Those memories were fuzzy even when they happened just the other day, sometimes. Now that it's been actual years, he has to recall things even harder.]

Most notable in my memories was when Dean first evolved into his current Emboar form. You see, as a Tepig, he was quite small. I imagine even a child could hold a Tepig up, although they'd have to use both arms, of course.

[tiny child arms...]

When he evolved into a Pignite, he did get a bit bigger, but it was still manageable. Pignite are bipedal, you see, so he could keep up just fine on his own. That was around... Hm. Waist high for me, I think?

Yet as an Emboar, he easily doubled in size. It can be a bit... surprising, at first. Disorienting, if you are perhaps used to an individual of smaller size.

Hm... But I think in some ways, his diet has become a little more manageable in turn. Ah, Tepig and Pignite eat a fair bit, I think, especially to fuel their inner fire. As an Emboar, Dean has matured a bit in that area, and knows exactly how much he really needs. I suppose that is also a benefit of when one has finished growing; youths always eat a great deal when they can.

[Dimitri you're talking to a 'youth']

[Dimitri you have not yet reached 30]

However... Well, I have only ever been with Dean for his line, you see, and I have found him to be a very patient and calm-headed individual. If he were to have any young, hopefully they would take on that same temperament. I found it incredibly helpful, especially when I first arrived.

Honestly, when it's too cold, I just cozy up somewhere for a while... but I guess I've been here long enough to be able to afford that.

[Also, you know, he gets a regular wage from Team Rocket. Shhh.]

Are you all on your own? You could get a nice tent and split the costs, if you weren't!

[Welp, there goes his smile. He's been trying hard not to think about his friends or, well, lack thereof. He had finally had friends before coming here.]

Yeah. I'm alone.

[And as always, time to push those feelings away. Especially since he needs to figure out how to survive winter.]

So, I suppose the best solution is a job for now...I don't think my grass types would be too happy with me if I travelled in this weather again.

[Oh, he... said something he shouldn't have, didn't he?]

Um, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, uh... you know... bum you out.

[He really does feel pretty bad about this. Heck, he can't imagine how lonely he would have felt if he woke up here without the Boss.]

No, its alright.

[He hadn't realized he let his feelings show that much, he puts on a smile to compensate.]

It's probably for the best that they aren't here. I'm sure Tsukasa-kun or Emu-kun would end up eating the Berries first thing, and Nene isn't one for the outdoors.

[Though that would make traveling more interesting...]

Regardless, I appreciate your advice. I may have to save up for a tent before I try heading out again.

It wouldn't kill them, you know. You can't really die in this place.

[... You know, that sounded more reassuring when it was in his head and before he turned it into words that came out of his mouth.]

U-Um! I forgot to ask, are you a Trainer or a Breeder?

That's good to know, actually. Dying to the elements was a concern I've had recently.

I'm a Trainer. What about you?

[H-He's helping!]

Oh, I'm a Trainer too.

[This is a lie, of course. His actual occupation isn't meant for civilian ears.]

That's too bad... I feel like Breeders have an easier time making money. Selling eggs and stuff, you know? Then again, maybe it's not as easy as it looks.

I'm sure there are pros and cons to both paths. Like maybe its easier to make money, but I think I read in one of the books that Trainers get special discounts, so maybe it evens out that way?

My name's Kamishiro Rui by the way.

Oh... Right! That's right. [Heeeee had completely forgotten about Trainers getting discounts!] I, um, didn't think of that.

Kamishiro... [he mumbles, in an attempt to commit it to memory. Which is not his strong suit, even when he isn't straight-up lying.] I'm Vinegar Doppio.

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Vinegar-kun. Perhaps one day we'll run into each other on our travels?

If we do, I'll treat you to a meal to thank you for your advice today.

O-Oh, Doppio is fine. I mean... That's what everyone calls me. [Who even named him Vinegar, anyway.] But, um... Sure!

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where did a month go omg

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