neededlassie

Entry tags:

video

[The screen flickers on to show a boy who looks like he’s a little bit in a fog. Behind him, a Buizel bounces around happily through the snowdrifts, nearly disappearing only to poke her head up every now and then, her whiskers and fur caked with snow.]

Hello? Is anyone out there? My name is Shaun Mars. There was this lady who called herself my mom, and she gave me a backpack full of food and clothes and stuff, and I sorta...just wanted to know if that had happened to anyone else. And also, if the food was...safe to eat. It’s like rice, and I think there’s fish and vegetables and stuff too, or something.

I think I might've gotten someone else's Pokegear thing. It says it's my birthday today, but my birthday was two days ago.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Uh-oh. That sounded suspiciously like the beginnings of a "my dad". Pinged x2.]

That's right, you're not. But everyone here is a stranger, and you might not be able to find a place around for you to buy something to eat instead. At least not until you reach the next town.

What if you fed some of it to your Pokemon? That might be a way of seeing if it's safe.

[IT WAS but possibly not for the reasons she may think.

He's just trying really hard not to think about his dad right now. Or his mom, but that's harder to manage, and doesn't hurt as bad if he accidentally does.]

...I guess.

-- I can't do that! What if she gets hurt?

[THAT'S COOL, kid guy, just think about education instead. Education is awesome. PROBLEM SOLVING TOGETHER, ALL THE WAY.

...also, he raises a good point.]

Then you'd find the doctor in town and take her there. Even when Pokemon get hurt, it's never permanent.

[That statement takes Shaun completely by surprise, and he goes silent for a long moment.]

It probably would be for mine.

[His tone is small and sad, almost broken. He's never had anyone he loves get hurt non-permanently. Even when his dad woke up from the coma, he wasn't really the same as he'd been before the accident.]

[AUGH, JUST SNAP HER HEART IN TWO, this poor kid.]

It wouldn't. That's not how Johto works.

[There's not a single bit of hesitation in her voice when she says it, either.]

Is it all right if I ask you some questions, Shaun? We can trade, one for one.

[HE KNOWS BETTER THAN TO TRUST PEOPLE WHO TRY TO TELL HIM THAT THE WORLD IS OKAY. He is going to continue to be under the impression that Pokemon can be killed until he learns otherwise through battling.]

...I guess. But only ones I wanna answer.

That's fair enough. How about where you're from? I'm from California, originally.

[...Technically true.]

[He's not sure whether he should answer or not, but he decides that Philadelphia is big enough.]

I'm from Philadelphia.

[She had her suspicions. STILL GOT IT.]

I've been there a few times. That's where the Liberty Bell is, isn't it?

Uh-huh. I've been there lots of times on class trips.

That must've been fun. I've been to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, too — the place where the bell was originally commissioned in 1752.

It's your turn to ask me a question now, if you want.

[Shaun doesn't really know what to ask. He thought she would be asking him questions to match how many he had asked her.]

Um... Do you have any kids?

[She will, soon enough, but better to establish a rapport with the kid first.]

None of my own, no. But I've known a fair number of them, and I'm traveling with a few right now. They're a bit older than you are.

[...That's kind of comforting-not-comforting. He really doesn't want to trust adults who don't have any kids, but she said she kinda has kids, they're just not hers.]

Are you like a teacher or something?

You could say that. I don't work in a school, but teaching is one of the things I do best, and learning is one of my favorite things to do.

What were you doing before you came here?

[...okay, teachers are okay, maybe this Carmen lady can be dropped down a rung on the danger scale.]

I was watching TV.

[A typical kid answer. And precisely specific enough that she can't really inquire further without sounding too interested in his previous circumstances. Well-played, Shaun.]

Was anything good on?

[Loool he wasn't even really trying for that; he's at the "Things and stuff" age and circumstances have conspired to make him even more reticent to offer too many details.]

I guess. Just cartoons.

[IF IT WORKS, IT WORKS. Unintentionally or otherwise.]

I was more a fan of books at your age, myself.

What did you name your Pokemon?

Books are okay too.

Her name is Susie.

That's a fine name. I named my partner "Chief" because he reminded me of an old friend. You should keep her close to you from here on out; she'll be a big help to you.

Sooner or later you're going to have to leave New Bark Town, and it'll be better if you have a friend nearby when you do.

What kind of Pokemon do you have?

...I'd like to leave sooner, I think.

[He wants to get away from the not-Mom.]

He's a Kadabra now, but he was an Abra when I met him. A sort of psychic fox, if you can imagine that.

[Since she has no reason to think that any newcomers might already be familiar with Pokemon even before their entrance.]

There are two ways out, that I've heard of. One is the path onto Route 29, and the other is a ferry that will take you across the water to Pallet Town.

Oh. I know what an Abra is. Neat!

[He's not even thinking of the teleport move or the fact that if she wanted she could probably appear next to him right then and there if she wanted.]

...I think I'll take the path. Where does it go?

[Despite his best efforts, there's a waver of fear to his tone at the idea of crossing over water. He's been seeing a psychologist, but that's only gotten him to the point where he can shower and bathe regularly without having a panic attack if his mom isn't there with him. Swimming? Ferries? Right out.]

[Luckily, Chief's aptitude doesn't stretch quite that far — though if it did, she probably would. Poor kid.]

It leads into the forest, and from there it's about a three-day's walk to Cherrygrove City. But I'm worried about you being all right out there — it gets cold at night, and there's a lot of snow. Those aren't good conditions for anyone to be out by themselves.

video

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private

audio; | private