it’s time for a cookout!

[indigo_league]

Who: Everybody!
Where: Poco Path
When: April 26th
Summary: Arven welcomes you to experience Paldean customs and food, and share the food of your own homes, in a unique take on Calçotada!


Arven and his helpers have set up Poco Path as the perfect spot for a cook-out! Tables and benches line the route, and there are also baskets holding picnic blankets around for those who prefer that experience. The weather is finally playing nice again, after all, so why not?

There are grills for anyone who may need them, as well, and Arven - along with his Toedscruel and Gargancl - will be making the rounds to assure everyone has any needed equipment... And that no one's putting the cook-out at risk of going up in flames, of course. But whether or not you're making or even brought food, the host is happy to see you here. And so is his Mabosstiff! The gentle old pokemon will be making his own rounds of begging for table scraps!

When it seems like the arrivals have slowed to a stop, Arven takes a moment to address his guests. While he starts off nervously, he keeps a hand on Mabosstiff at his side, and as he goes on his bashfulness fades more and more.

"I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who came here today! When I heard about how you lot aren't, er, from around here... Well, I knew had to do something like this. It's important! You're all far from your homes in more ways than one, after all. Food can go a long way to bring people together!"

Mabosstiff gives a gruff bark in agreement, and Arven laughs heartily.

"Thanks, bud. And thanks again to all of you! I'm seeing some dishes I just can't wait to dig into. If you aren't eating already, what are you waiting for? Bon profit!"

Comments

[phdepression]

Of course. Looking forward to the results of your work. I know horticultural research can be underappreciated but it's an important field. And an interesting one. [Man, now he wishes for a well-known science research journal in this world. If there is one already, he wants to know about it. Pokemon are fascinating.]

I should get to starting proper research myself. I've mostly been exploring, getting ideas for what I want to do, but I really want to contribute something while I'm here.

[goingbythebook]

It certainly is! Why, without proper horticultural research, we wouldn't have nearly the amount of advancements on farming as we do.

And I can certainly agree with wanting to contribute! That's what I want to do. My time here may be temporary and ephemeral, but I want to leave something, you know? Something that says- [And he gestured at the air] -"Huey Duck was here."

[He looks up, offering a smile.]

I think that's a very noble goal of yours. What kinds of ideas do you have so far? If anything concrete, that is.

[phdepression]

A legacy, huh? Research is one way to do it. [Maybe that's why he was drawn to research. It's not just his love of the ocean but also his desire to leave a legacy that wasn't the curse of his bloodline.

Jotaro goes into his jacket pocket and pulls out his own notebook.]

I'm a marine biologist and an oceanographer so my interest is mostly in the sea. I'd like to do research on the osmoregulation of Water Pokemon and how they so quickly keep homeostasis. But how Pokemon deal with the pressure changes at different depths in the ocean is also interesting. Then again, looking at how convergent evolution works in the Pokemon world is interesting: there's a distinction between Pokemon that are ecologically similar and Pokemon with the same shape. Lots of ideas and no clue where to dedicate myself to.

[goingbythebook]

[Huey tapped his mouth as he thought, brow furrowing for a moment. Then he popped up and looked over with a grin.]

What about a little of "all of the above"? Start with studying convergent evolution- especially here in Paldea, where there are some fantastic examples on display! -and then using that information to see how different Pokemon might adjust to their environments, through a marine perspective? Such as how Wiglett might not be a relative of the Diglett line, but what is it about both their ecological niches that caused them to evolve that way, and where would the ocean figure into all of that? And what is it that lets Gyarados live in both freshwater and saltwater, and could that eventually lead to regional differences down the line, if not already?

Besides, if I've learned nothing from my Uncle Scrooge, it's that you need to "diversify your portfolio," so to speak. Keep your pursuits open to options, and you'll likely go a lot further than otherwise! Even under the umbrella of what looks like a single specialty.

[phdepression]

True. It's not like I'm doing a PhD thesis. I can afford to expand a little bit. [Jotaro strokes his chin thoughtfully, already seeing the links pointed out and new ones.] All water Pokemon can survive without issue in fresh water and salt water but they still gravitate to their own niches. The 'how' and 'why' would be good to look into...

Heh... That's half the reason why I went into both marine biology and oceanography: diversifying my portfolio. [And having an excuse to globe trot when hunting down hostile Stands] You have a smart uncle, kid. And a good head on your shoulders.

[goingbythebook]

Heh, I wish Uncle Scrooge could've heard you say that! He, rightfully so, mind, often touts himself as "tougher than the toughies, smarter than the smarties, and sharper than the sharpies." It's how he got to where he is, one of the biggest people in my whole home world.

And it's how he taught us kids, too. I mean, being a Junior Woodchuck- ah, my world's scout system, that is -gave me a great foundation, for sure! And the Guidebook continues to be an endless font of information that I go to as needed. But traveling with Uncle Scrooge, learning about wonders I never even thought possible, and being shepherded through it all the while by an expert in his field? Absolutely stupendous! And experiences I never would've traded for anything.

[phdepression]

Sounds like he's a humble guy too. [Jotaro can't help but snark but the smile on his face makes it clear he's only teasing the kid. He simply nods along, taking in what Huey was sharing.] Mmm... Travel is good for gaining experience.

What is that field by the way? Geography? Anthropology?