one: (audio + action to those in new bark)

[arsonphobe]

[ there is no video for this one; instead, there is a distant click which indicates that something has been turned on. after a very small pause, an upbeat-sounding voice can be heard speaking conversationally at the end of the line. ]Hello, anyone who's listening! My name is Maya Amano, ace journalist for the magazine "Coolest" and I seem to have

Comments

[audio]

[combat_butler]

Japan is but a fleeting dream that a good deal of us want to return to.

... er, wait! That sounds kind of ominous-- um, can I have a do over?

[audio]

[arsonphobe]

"A fleeting deam"... what do you mean by that?

[audio]

[combat_butler]

Ah! Um, I was joking, but... I just meant it's a place that some of us want to go back to but can't.

[audio]

[arsonphobe]

But if you put it that way, it sounds mysterious... still, I think I understand. This isn't home anymore, is it?

[video] here let me shove both my guys to you to make your life miserable

[profpuzzle]

[Oh boy, new people! Gonna do video cause why not?]

Yes, you are correct, Miss Amano. You are in a world called "Johto" and no longer in Japan. As to reasons how or why we are here, it is still unknown. I am afraid you will have to make-do here till then. It is rather all a puzzle.

[video] ffff what are you talking about <3

[arsonphobe]

[ dimensional travelling is not new to maya. so she's... kind of having a mini heart attack but trying not to show it. ]

So this world... were you brought here, too?

[video] i'm talking about my undying love for you, emphasis on undying

[profpuzzle]

[He nods.]

Yes. Many of the people you will encounter over this network are in the same situation as you; brought here against our wills.

However, I do suppose that one of the more positive points here is that many of them are quite kind. It is probably better to focus on the positive rather than the negative while here.

[video] ... embraces dramatically

[arsonphobe]

[ at that last bit, she smiles, though it takes her a moment. ]

Of course! We should all think positive, after all! This world can't be all bad if I'm meeting kind people who are willing to answer my questions.

[audio] /shoves into your face

[usedeverything]

You're in another place called "Johto" with those Pokemon things people played long ago. Japan's pretty far away now.

[audio] skdjlhg

[arsonphobe]

Pokemon--? I... [ she's thinking about it pretty hard, man. and then: ]

I'm sorry, I don't recall anything like that! [ well guess who never played pokemon. ]

[audio] you love it

[usedeverything]

It a child's video game that came out around a decade ago. From what I heard, you go around battling other Pokemon trainers and "become the very best".

[And he shrugs, but since this is audio, you just hear rustling.]

I never played the games before, so I'm not too sure about it.

[audio] m-maybe......

[arsonphobe]

So you're saying that we're stuck in a children's video game? I wasn't expecting such an unbelievable explanation!

Still, it's a starting point, isn't it?

[audio]

[blacklodged]

[A lot of people seem to be appearing here today. Cooper makes note of this.]

Hello, Miss Amano. My name's Dale Cooper. I suppose I should tell you welcome, as well. I can't tell you why you've come here - no one has been able to figure that one out, as of yet. People seem to be transported here from various places ... and you're from Japan? [He smiles a little] I'm curious if that's the kind of Japan I know, as many of the people I've met seem to come from alternate universes or different worlds entirely.

[audio]

[arsonphobe]

It's nice to meet you, Dale-- I... I think I'm understand this world a little better now, even though no-one I've spoken to really knows why this is happening.

[ ... she brightens a little bit. ] Yes, I'm from Sumaru City! Are you... from Japan? [ completely nervous about this whole "alternate worlds" concept ]

Re: [audio]

[blacklodged]

That's good to hear. I hope you'll settle in alright, so to speak. It's a marvellous place, and I plan to enjoy my stay, if nothing else.

No, actually, I'm from America. I've never been to Asia at all, actually, though I'd like to go there some day.

[audio]

[arsonphobe]

Hmm, so then it's just like a vacation, isn't it? I suppose that's the way I'll have to look at this world, then!

There are a lot of beautiful places in Japan, and we have an interesting history! Though, I admit, I don't have anything to compare it to. I've never been out of the country.

[video]

[bufudyned]

Welcome to Johto, Amano. I'm afraid its location doesn't seem to be anywhere near Japan.

[video]

[arsonphobe]

Thank you for the kind welcome! If you don't mind, what do you know about this world? Anything would be helpful!

[video]

[bufudyned]

This world is inhabited by strange creatures called Pokemon. They are built to battle each other, and most people here seem to be Pokemon trainers.

However, battling with them is not required, and there are several people who have chosen to breed them instead.

Regardless, you most likely received a Pokemon when you first arrived here. It is to be your partner.

[video]

[arsonphobe]

Pokemon... I remember reading about them somewhere in that manual. Are you saying that I have one, too?