voice.

[radfield]

[ The tail end of a sigh can be heard as Chris enables the voice option on his PokéGear. Though it’s more of a response to the chilly weather rather than sounding tired or disappointed. Still, he has to pause as he quietly clears his throat and fights the urge to huff while he tries to warm up some at his Local Pokémon Center™. ]

Does anyone have any tips or advice for new trainers? Think my new friend and I started off on the wrong foot with a small scuffle, but I suppose it’s expected given its nature. Its name is ‘Stufful’, if that helps.

[ What a sneaky pun. ]

Anyway, I give her as much space as possible and she’s rather content on trailing behind or leading the way, but is in need of some grooming. Wondering how we both can get around this before attempting to since she’s rather finicky when it comes to touch.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

voice.

[torsion]

[ She's just casually skimming this on a break in Azalea with a hot cup of coffee early in the morning. Jill nearly spills the cup onto her lap (and poor Eevee) in the process of hearing that very first syllable. She's dreamed of his voice for years, heard it more recently up until coming here and it reverberated through her mind even as she slept. It felt like she had begun to forget the exact sound of it, that she couldn't quite imagine it the way it really sounded again. It wasn't something she cared to experience ever again after those three years.

But she might be wrong. People come here from all over. This could be anyone but him. Though she intends to offer some sort of advice, instead she pauses and ends up saying something completely different. It all stops and ends at one word. Her voice soft and wary, yet with that hint of sweetness reserved exclusively for the person she thinks could very well be on the other side. ]

...Chris?

[ Almost worry. She might be wrong. She might have just built her hopes up. ]

voice.

[radfield]

[ Chris' reaction is almost immediate when his Gear passes on her reply. Nearly startling his napping Stufful in the booth next to him when he scoots towards the wall for some privacy. The audio is a bit tinny on his end, but he'd recognize that voice anywhere. Or as the saying goes, anyway.

For a minute he fiddles around with the device in hopes of replaying the message, but ultimately gives up on it in favor of an immediate reply. He'd shown up alone and made his way out of New Bark Town just a few hours after arriving. Giving him little time to get situated with things outside of his immediate surroundings; much less comb through the network for anyone he could perhaps recognize. Still, he takes his chances, especially after clinging onto the familiar tone when she says his name. ]

Jill?

vide-yoooo

[radfield]

[ He doesn't bother to wait for a reply in this case. Quickly switching to video and holding his Gear in the usual unflattering angle he normally goes with for these sorts of calls. ]

Jill!

[ He struggles to follow up with something, anything, and no doubt was slowly losing the composure he'd kept up for days now. That one word was enough for him to go on and the hope it gives him shows in a pinched look. There's another sigh on his end, though sounding more surprised than anything else, not to mention coupled with a few mumbled words as he tries to voice a number of thoughts before settling on: ]

It's me, Chris!

video.

[torsion]

[ It is him. She's got the same glossed over voice that reaches her eyes when she switches to video. The sound of his voice soothing an ache shed try to ignore just like the last time they had to do this. The only difference is this time she doesn't have to focus on his safety and the safety of others. This time, it's just them. No one over her shoulder or his, no urgency that will force her to push her feelings aside. ]

Chris? It's Jill. [ Her expression twists, head tilted to slightly to the side. It's barely visible when she sets the coffee cup down, the light clink of glass to wood while she rushes the gesture to free her hands. She presses one down against the table off-screen, like she's physically able to lean into the screen and past it to touch him. ] Chris, I...

[ Wanted to see you, missed you, am glad you're here, am so happy you're safe, want to see you right now. Anything, everything, but it's all too much for her after everything.

Her brow tightens along with her smile, sharp and straight as that same look crosses her as the one she'd had back in the Monarch Room. Too much to say that she can't, the words incapable of forming for too many reasons. All she can do is look at him. She stares for a long moment, taking him in before a weight lifts and her look softens and her head tucks down against her chest, the light braided ponytail over her shoulder shifting with the gesture. Against the very bottom of the screen, brown fur can be seen and a wet nose, nudging against Jill's chin.

That's what makes her laugh waver into almost a cry. Trust her new pal to notice exactly how conflicted her feelings are. Her heart feels tight, like her rib cage is much too small and trying to make it burst into a million pieces inside of her. She tilts her head for a small nuzzle before swiping her thumb over the screen, like her fingers can brush his skin from a distance.

She missed him too much. Glossy, threaten to spill over, she lets out a jagged: ]

Hey.

video.

[radfield]

[ Chris watches her movements carefully, gauges the reactions, and takes in her features before almost cradling the small device in both hands. His expression mirrors hers while he supposes she's feeling the same. Smiling for a brief moment even when Jill has to look down and away. Luckily she had someone there with her to pick up the slack, and looking as though it might be her Pokémon. ]

Are you all right? [ Not realizing he's almost parroting the same words back in Africa, there's some shifting on his end of the feed as he presses more into the corner of the booth seat and leans against the wall. Stufful gives a small shout at being moved around, though it's quick to calm down once he's pushed it far enough to give it some space. ] I, uh, showed up here a few days ago. Wasn't expecting to come across you, much less anyone, but.. I'm glad you're here.

[ Maybe 'good to see you' or 'nice to know that you're doing well' would be more fitting, but he's relieved to find that neither of them wouldn't be so alone. Even if the two of them really had managed to find a way into a different world altogether. Either way, it's a thought he doesn't want to mull over for the moment.

Judging from Jill's surroundings, it seems as though she were enjoying breakfast. However, it was nice to see she was managing to look after herself despite everything. Far better off than him, at least. That said, he cheers up some for the two of them and straightens in his seat to flash a small smile. ]

Just stopped in Cherrygrove, by the way. Hopefully it isn't too far from where you're at.

[torsion]

[ She's less shaken than the last time they spoke like this. Less serious, less rushed. She still talks with her hands, though only one of them. Gently sweeping a little to the side and barely on screen as she speaks. ]

Yeah. Just taking a break from the cold right now. Can't seem to catch a break lately with extreme weather, can I? [ Probably not the right thing to make a joke about, but it shows she's in better condition than he might think her to be. She can't really see what he's speaking to and she'd been more concerned about him than anything earlier, so she hadn't looked up what a Stufful was on her pokedex. ] I've been here a little over a month, actually. Apparently time's a little different here.

[ So he probably had seen her just before coming here. She tries not to think on it too much since she doubts there's any way she could really explain it. ]

Azalea. I'm about three weeks' away, I'm afraid. I can rent a riding pokemon, but it'll be about a week to Cherrygrove. If you're up to a bit of travel, we could meet in Violet or along a Route a bit quicker? [ She looks plainly hopeful, no effort to hide her expression. Finally, she's able to be completely honest after everything. ] Don't really know what to say about your friend, though. Mine's a peach.

[ To which, she lifts it a little and it places only its front paws on the table, briefly glancing at her like it is making sure it's okay to do so before leaning into the screen to give it a sniff when it hears the voice on the other end. Its right ear flicks. ]

Video

[coolskeleton_95]

YOU SHOULD HELP YOUR POKEMON FRIEND INCREASE THEIR LVL BY BEATING UP OTHER POKEMON!

video.

[radfield]

[ Chris was content on using the voice option for any other replies, but since he's already Fired Up the selfie cam for Jill might as well do the same all around. Papyrus, however, is one very enthusiastic dude. ]

We've had some run-ins with other trainers and a few wild ones on our trip to Cherrygrove. Think the fighting gets her more fired up afterwards though, but I'll keep it in mind.

Re: video.

[coolskeleton_95]

[Boy you haven't even seen the tip of the iceberg]

FANTASTIC! PITTING YOUR POKEMON AGAINST ANOTHER'S IN BATTLE IS ALSO AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF EXP!

[radfield]

[ With a lil less conversation, a lil more determination maybe he can! One day. ]

Naturally. [ Chris laughs on his end. It was obvious that given enough training and battles Stufful would become stronger. Though he didn't know 'experience' was formally its own thing in Johto. ] Mind if I ask a bit about your team?

[coolskeleton_95]

I'M ALWAYS HAPPY TO SHOW OFF MY FRIENDS!

voice;

[notvaljean]

My starter Pokemon and I didn't get along at first either. He didn't start to like me until I started bribing him with treats, and talking to him like he's a person. They can understand a lot of what we say. Like, a lot more than I thought at first.

[Pro-tip: a Pokemon understands more than a dog, and get offended when you treat them like one, leading to several days of electrical zapping before a friendship is formed.]

video.

[radfield]

[ He has to flash a smile at the whole bribing deal, but it's good to know he's been doing what's expected of him as a trainer up until now. ]

Guess I'll have to start looking at those Poffin deals then. Thanks. For now I think we understand each other for the most part. [ Chris sees his starter as more of a child, so he's gentle with it for the most part. Probably even a little too passive, though. ] Though a guy before you mentioned battling.. think that might iron out our differences?

[ It should be obvious that it would strengthen their bond, but considering his pokémon looks like a stuffed toy he's worried whenever it takes a few bumps in a row. Those squeaks it makes sometimes when it's hurt—feels bad man. ]

video.

[notvaljean]

It might? It depends on your Pokemon and whether it likes fighting. Mine does, and we got along a lot better when we started battling.

[Or when Jean started encouraging the Voltorb to attack all the wild Pokemon around their camp.]

If you're still near Violet, the wild Pokemon in the area are pretty weak. You could take yours out and see if it likes beating up on them.

video.

[radfield]

Will do. I'm heading up to Violet soon, so we'll spend a couple days battling on the road and see how it goes from there.

[ ... But what happens when it uses self-destruct? ]

Though I've gotta ask, how many potions do you usually have on ya'? If the map can be trusted, it'll take us around a week to reach Violet City alone.

[ And so far he's only got his starter on hand. ]

[Voice]

[foolishwren]

We-ell, in my experience, your best friend when it comes to Pokemon in general is gonna be food. Shy or bold as brass, it doesn't matter, they all like treats.

See if you can figure out what she likes to eat and then slowly get her used to getting closer to you.

video.

[radfield]

Treats and battling seem to be some of the go-to choices for trainers here. Still, it's good to keep in mind.

[ Despite the voice on the other end, Chris still flashes a smile before giving a small 'thanks' for the advice. ]

Took at look at the shops around here that offered treats—though I think the two of us were a bit overwhelmed with the amount of flavors. And most likely for different reasons.

[ Stufful was a bit too excited at first and eventually needed a time-out in the baby sling. Meanwhile Chris never realized the importance of pairing certain flavors to certain personalities or natures until then. Though it really goes to show that pokémon aren't any different from their trainers. ]

For now we'll stick to headbutting some trees for berries. Since it seems to prefer that in the meantime.

video.

[foolishwren]

Headbutting trees is good too. Gets some of that pent-up violence and aggression out.

_{[She says this with... some (friendly) sarcasm, looking at the adorable bundle of pink and black fluff.]}

video.

[radfield]

[ Chris laughs at the suggestion and waves a bandaged hand when Heather switches to video. ]

Hopefully she'll wear herself out for a day or two. At least enough to where I can get close enough without any trouble and give her a bath.

voice;

[pipers_son]

Well... What kinda Pokemon is she exactly? Helps ta start there.

video.

[radfield]

[ He's switched to video after his chat with Jill, but doesn't mind if any others stick to audio. Giving a half-shrug on his side, the feed cuts for a moment as he looks through the Dex again. ]

Says here she's a flailing pokémon. Dual-type as normal and fighting. Didn't know she'd have the strength to sprain my finger with just a swing.

Video

[dreamsofahero]

Well, you may have figured some of it out already, but I do have a guide of sorts I prepared covering the basics for newcomers.

*he'll even provide you with a handy link to it!*

Though as to your particular situation... I suppose it depends on what specifically is the issue. Does she seem to be upset over your 'scuffle' in general, or something in particular about it?

video foreverrr.

[radfield]

[ Chris shoots Sion a nod before looking over the link. It takes him a while to go over it a few times, but he eventually flashes the other guy a small smile as thanks when he's done. ]

Sion, was it? What I've gleaned off the others doesn't come close to your post over there. [ He barks out a short laugh before settling more comfortably in his seat. ] Though thanks for sending it my way.

As for Stufful, I figure she isn't used to touch or having a trainer just yet. Can't exactly blame her since it's only been a couple days, but after seeing it might take us a week to get to Violet City—well...

[ So far he's resorted to carrying her around in a sling since shoving her into a pokéball for days wouldn't help their relationship much either, he feels. ]

Figured any advice outside of bribing her with treats or constant battling would also help.

[ Not that Chris wasn't grateful for all the help he's received already. It's just the fact that he'd like to bond better with his new pardner. ]

[dreamsofahero]

You're quite welcome.

*really, being thorough and not having to re-explain everything was precisely why he'd made it in the first place...*

Well, treats can be used for encouragement or as a motivation to overcome any shyness, certainly. But perhaps you could try approaching her gradually, going only as far as she's comfortable at first, then as she becomes accustomed to it, take it a little bit further, and so on.

*like approaching a skittish rose or something*

[radfield]

[ Chris wouldn't be surprised if Sion sent this over to Jill when she arrived. Eyoo. ]

Sounds simple enough. [ It'd be similar to the years spent raising Claire alone, including the bribing with treats part, but at least his sister was a lot punier back then and didn't have the strength to break his hand. ] Got a question about evolutions, though.

I noticed a few trainers haven't evolved theirs past the threshold. Is there a way to keep Stufful the way she is if I decided on that?