bookslap | 1st page; video/action for new bark town

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1st page; video/action for new bark town

video

{Hello Route. Nanao's sitting at a picnic table in New Bark Town, hands folded neatly on the table. One hand's knuckles are wrapped in a handkerchief, but she stares levelly at the camera, eyes utterly serious.}

Hello. I would be grateful if someone out there was able to provide an answer to my questions. Don't worry, I only have two. {She looks away for a moment, swallowing.}

How were we brought here, and does anyone know why? I think I understand where we are, even if the premise is absurd, but it is the how and why that yet eludes me.

{A Pidgey chirps somewhere off camera, and Nanao's fingers clench and uncurl.}

A precis on what happened might be nice as well, considering that this town looks like it's been ravaged by a storm.

{That said, she reaches out and clicks off the feed. She'll be wandering around New Bark for a while at least, so feel free to approach her if you see her!}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If you say so. I suppose it cannot be worse than what the ledges might inflict upon you during your journey, should you be unlucky.

[Yes, Cecil, do scare the newbie with vague ominous warnings, that's always a great introduction.]

Do you have any other questions? 'Why' and 'how' are both interesting to ponder, but they'll not help you manage the routes or the wildlife.

After that - yes. What is different about the ledges?

{You've piqued her interest!}

They cannot be climbed.

[Which is both completely true, and a completely inappropriate explanation.]

You could attempt to climb one with a ladder or with the best mountaineering equipment this world can offer, and you'd still find yourself thrown to the ground. They've broken their fair share of arms, over the years.

{That sounds like a challenge..!}

{And then he mentions broken arms.}

I'll keep an eye out for these dangerous beasts, then. I have no desire to have my arm in a sling for months.

{Thinking...} Oh - about these pokemon... Are they dangerous?

...The danger they pose greatly depends on their level, and on who is training them. The wild Pokémon you'll meet along the routes will attack your team, but are unlikely to cause any harm. But Pokémon controlled by Team Rocket will target humans if commanded, and are often strong enough to cause unpleasant injuries.

[And even that is nothing when compared to legendaries, but he won't get into that yet.]

{Oh snap.}

If this is the case, how am I expected to defend myself - with my bare fists? My weapon and... magic was taken from me.

{she hasn't yet figured out that she actually has a pokemon herself. gj, nanao.}

...Have you not yet found your started inside your bag? It should be in one of the pokéballs.

[He might not quite remember what his first moments of newly-arrived confusion felt like.]

...oh, we use other Pokemon to fight.

{There's a bit of off-camera rustling, and then--}

Well, that's not what I expected. {A small Yamask burbles happily at Nanao, who looks rather surprised.}

Ah, a Yamask. Its attacks will have little effect on the Normal-types you'll meet on route 29, but luckily the disadvantage is mutual.

[He might or might not expect her to understand that on the first try.]

...why would that be? {She's kinda following along...}

Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses in battle. As it happens, Ghost-types such as Yamask and Normal-types are completely ineffective against each other.

[Barring wider movesets, but first things first.]

I will keep that in mind as I travel... Route 29, was it? {she is absolutely going to draw up her own type effectiveness chart}

[He nods with a smile.]

Route 29, yes. Unless you prefer to take the boat to Pallet Town instead.

{...she's going to have to stare at the map for a while after this.}

Well, I guess things could be worse. I could have arrived in the middle of that hurricane instead of after it.

Or during the worst of the winter snow falls, without a Fire-type as a starter. Certain months make for very unpleasant arrivals, especially for those used to warmer climates.

[Or those without coats. Or those with Grass-type starters.]

{She's shuddering in sympathy. ~~and the hideous memories of arriving during a huge snowstorm~~}

I'm suddenly very glad that I arrived in August, and not December.

August is a very good month for arrivals, yet. It gives you just enough time to prepare yourself for October's Ghost-type swarms, while sparing the worst heat waves.

[He's very good at making this sound pleasant, isn't he?]

Ghost swarms? {WOW THAT DOESN'T SOUND AT ALL OMINOUS}

And this is a yearly occurance?

...I cannot confirm that there was one last year, as I was held in an empty castle at the time. And the swarm four years ago was technically in September.

[But who cares about the details?]

...this is the second time I've heard about a castle. {This place is getting weirder by the second.}

I suppose my best bet is to merely hope for the best, eh?

Your best bet is to build up a strong team that covers every type, and to always keep your stock of supplies filled. And even that might not suffice if this world feels unkind.

[Screw Mt. Mortar, and screw biannual teleportation days.]

And I would do that by... having my Pokemon fight other Pokemon, yes? {Ooh boy, biannual teleportation days. Nanao is going to love those.}

Exactly. Battling also comes with the advantage of making most Pokémon happy, and can serve as a source of income.

[It can also save the world from legendary threats, but he doesn't know that yet.]

They enjoy fighting? Sounds like someone I know. {Several hundred people she knows, to be honest...}

Are there any other ways to gain an income aside from battling?

You can also find honest work in stores or Pokémon Centers, if you have no issues dealing with customers. Though it's much harder work that I ever imagined it could be.

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