001 | New Bark Town | Video;

[usedlaserbeam]

[Fortunately for everyone who might be watching this feed, Yagyuu took a minute or two to attempt to familiarize himself with his PokéGear prior to switching it on, so when it does finally turn on to reveal his face, it's from an appropriate distance and at a deliberate, steady angle. Given the wall that's currently forming his backdrop, it's

Comments

1/?, eventual voice, sorry for this

[futariniousama]

[ ... Y-Yagyuu? ]

video;

[futariniousama]

[ His attention rivets on the screen again, the slightest downturn of his mouth giving a nod to his answer before he speaks. ]

Olivine, up north and way to the west. About a week away, I'm pretty sure. But I'll be leavin' today.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

[He surveys the room a minute, obviously looking for something that he apparently doesn't find, and then sets down the Gear a minute to riffle through the backpack Shiraishi had mentioned was his. A minute or so of searching later, he's uncovered the trainer manual, and--aha. A map. And so he returns to the gear, spreading it in his lap as he examines it.]

It's quite a distance, assuming this is accurate. But I'm told I'm to embark on a journey, anyway. It might as well be in that direction.

video;

[futariniousama]

Yeah, well, you gotta get outta New Bark. Ain't shit there. It's three days to the next town on foot; if you're lucky, whatever's in that ball over there's big enough to ride on.

[ His tone has grown a little brisk, businesslike. ]

When you get to Cherrygrove, you might as well stay a while. You'll wanna rest, anyway, and there's some shit goin' on right now -

[ He cuts off for a second, glancing sidelong before refocusing on the 'Gear. ]

Some big-ass bugs creepin' around here. If you run into one, shut your eyes and send out your Pokémon. The bug'll probably take off. Whatever you do, don't look at their backs. People are losin' souls left and right.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

[Well, all right, he was with Niou right up until the part about people losing their souls left and right--which means Niou is treated now to one of Yagyuu's rare expressions of abject disbelief.]

Bugs with soul-stealing backs? Is this a usual occurrence?

[He almost says "normal", but there is basically nothing about today that has been normal so far, so that point is already moot.]

video;

[futariniousama]

[ He shrugs a little. ]

Not as such. Couple weeks ago, all the water Pokémon flipped their collective shit and caused hurricanes. Before that, everyone blacked out for an entire three days, had weird dreams and woke up in different places. A while ago, bugs swarmed all the cities and tried to kill us; we fought 'em for days.

So... this exact thing? Not a usual occurrence. But these shenanigans in general? Pretty much standard-issue for this place.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

You've become quite accustomed to such things, I see.

[He adjusts his glasses, more for something to do with his hands than anything else.]

In that case, I'll certainly keep your advice in mind for the near future, and try to keep my soul right where it is. Is there anything else I should know?

video;

[futariniousama]

[ He pauses a moment in reflection, his expression still serious. ]

Most of the wild Pokémon between New Bark and Cherrygrove should be cake, since the Shedinja'll run from you. But be careful with any bugs, since a lot of the bugs from the swarm a while back are still hangin' around. When in doubt, run.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

Yanagi-kun's training menu pays off again, I suppose. I don't foresee myself going looking for any fights, don't worry.

[He hesitates a little on those last words, as he realizes he means them a lot more than he'd originally intended.]

And you're going to make your way to Cherrygrove on your own?

video;

[futariniousama]

For the moment. Fuji just woke up from bein' soulless himself - dude apparently had a soul, who knew? He and Yukimura are stayin' behind, due south, I guess. If they can swing it, they might catch up.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

...Should I assume his rambling incoherence is some kind of aftereffect of losing his soul, then? Oshitari-kun mentioned he'd recently suffered from a lack of soul himself, but he, at least, seemed fine when I spoke with him.

video;

[futariniousama]

Nah, that's just Fuji's usual.

And you should, like... not talk to Oshitari. He's a dick.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

That's his usual. [Pause.] I'm almost afraid to ask what he's like at his unusual.

Is he? He seemed amenable enough toward me.

video;

[futariniousama]

Seems amenable. Just try talkin' to him about Nationals - or Yukimura.

[ He sounds and looks a little sullen, yes. ]

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

[As new to Johto as he is, the Nationals are still just a few days back in recent memory, which means the stinging wound of their defeat is still raw and fresh. And it's not hard to guess where a discussion on that topic might go, particularly when held with a member of a rival school-and moreover, one with an attitude toward achievement like Hyotei's. But with the mention of Yukimura on top of it...

Were it anyone but Niou, Yagyuu might've tried to hide his displeasure more than he actually does.]

I suddenly get the feeling that wouldn't be a very pleasant conversation. What, precisely, did he say?

video;

[futariniousama]

We got to bitchin' about Nationals, and he made some snotty remark about how he didn't remember our captain even makin' it to tiebreak with the Seigaku brat.

[ Niou's scowl deepens as he recalls the conversation. ]