neededlassie

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[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.

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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.

[Three days sounds like a long time, with just a bag of trail mix and some food that he's not sure if it's really safe or not.

He wants his mom.]

I'm not by myself. I've got Susie.

[Three days is a long time, and she was doing it with a travel buddy in the spring.]

Do you think you and Susie will both be okay out there together? There might be other people around New Bark who are going that way, too. You could all go together.

[Shaun is a tough kid. He can even sleep alone when it rains without having a nervous breakdown. Most of the time.]

Sure, I guess I can try to find someone.

[He says it more to appease her than because he actually will, but he hopes it sounds convincing.]

[Sure he is. Still, what can she really do about it?]

Okay. And do you know how to call me back on this number? It's like on a phone, my ID is in your list of contacts now. So you can call me anytime you want, if you need help or just want to talk.

I think I remember that part from the manual thing that came with it.

Where are you? Maybe I'll call you if I get there.

["Where are you". Even in her most serious of moments, she'll still never give a straight answer on that question.]

I'm in a city that shines with golden light. But call sooner than that, because no matter which way you go, it'll take you a while to get there.

[...Uh. Okay. He'll figure it out eventually.]

I'll try to call you when I get to the next town.

[He'll probably forget. but he's half hoping she will too.]

I'd appreciate that. Be safe, Shaun.

Yes ma'am.

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