surpassedjupiter | First Jump. [text/action for new bark town.]

[It's been a long day of lurking around to see what other people around here decided to do, poking around the network, and trying to slip back into Mom's house (unsuccessfully) to get more information. The weather hasn't been fantastic, and Phi is left shivering next to a bumbling, curious plant that more or less has just been...walking across her feet and crooning.

She's decided it's cute, in a weird sort of way.

Still, that doesn't give Phi much else to do now besides addressing the network finally, and so she takes a good while to type out something satisfactory.]

There are two options here: A, which is to walk into the forest, or B, take a ferry out into the ocean. Which did you choose?

I was pretty sure I wasn't done having my destiny shared with another, but I have to admit that this wasn't exactly what I had in mind when it came to a pair. Oh well. I always did like the color blue, and it's nice to know even I can still be surprised.

[And then, because she's really wanting to see a familiar face but isn't comfortable enough to drop being vague:]

Try to surprise me again: what meaning does TWO MILKMEN GO COMEDY have? Donuts for those who get the right answer.

[Fellow newcomers ~~or those who have returned to New Bark for some foolish reason~~ might spot this white-haired woman skulking around, apparently investigating the surrounding area while attempting to look casual. The Oddish seems more interested in the people than she is, but neither are too keen on the idea of making an approach.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A phrase like that...

It's a sentence any friends of yours who might be here will instantly recognize, isn't it? It doesn't matter what the words "mean"; the "meaning" is as a sort of shibboleth — a phrase that will tell you something about the identity of the person responding, just by the way they answer it.

Sounds like someone's getting a whole box of donuts.

I wouldn't say they're all friends, but even if I'd give an arm to avoid some of them, it'd still be nice to know if they're around at all.

That's a common sentiment among new arrivals.

...

Most people tend to head west. That's the forest route.

That's not really an answer to that question, is it? Though it does coincide with what other people have told me so far.

Can't it be? But that would depend on something else, wouldn't it?

[Gosh, if this were a visual novel, the phrase "something else" would probably be underlined, wouldn't it.]

[The real world should be so easy...]

Are you most people?

That would be the question.

Now what's the answer?

[Gee, this was kind of irritating to be on the receiving end of.]

That's something you have to decide for yourself.

Huh. And you had done so well during round one.

In the broad sense of the phrase, you're either not most people or you're trying very hard to not be. So far, you're the least welcoming person I've met here. While I'm not going to cry about it, that and the fact that you aimed for the reason behind my question instead of answering it directly do make you stand out. So good for you, I suppose.

For the purposes of my "did you choose A or B" though... Whether or not you're most people in that regard seems like something rather trivial to hide.

It's a trivial question to ask. Trivial enough that, when put in the context of your other question, the apparent innocence of it is worth a second look.

I went through the forest.

[No argument there, at least on the trivial part. Phi already had several reasons to believe her choice here wouldn't matter, in the grand scheme of things.]

That's not a nice thing to say to someone who's going to give you donuts.

Is there a reason why nobody seems to want to take the ferry? I ask generally, not for your reason in particular, so there's no need to get defensive.

[What is this fascination with donuts, it's like Asahina-san all over again...]

The ferry costs money, for one thing — almost the entire amount you're given to start with. Also, I've heard the town it arrives at is equally small; not much better than your present circumstances. Heading west takes you to a city proper.

[Hey man, she takes a bit and runs with it. If you prefer pulled pork, tell her you'd like pulled pork!]

Sounds like I'll have to decide which it is that I value more, short term: food or money. Are things expensive here, that I'll be needing funds no matter the direction I take?

Yes. Charity is essentially nonexistent unless you happen to find a benefactor personally from among the other residents. There are jobs you can take on, but without doing so, the money you have will run out in about a week.

[She's already been offered charity! And...turned it down. Oh well.]

Alright. Talk to me about the gym leaders, then.

There are eight of them here, eight in the other region. Each gym leader specializes in a certain type of Pokemon; that can be used to a challenger's advantage by bringing a team strong against that particular type. They give a cash prize in exchange for a defeat, and also award trophies in the form of "badges", which apparently allow for certain benefits to be utilized. They also get more difficult to defeat the farther into the nation a trainer goes, suggesting a sort of gatekeeping mechanism not inconsistent with the notion of "gameplay".

What happens if I beat all sixteen? I was told that as a trainer, defeating them is supposed to be my purpose, but are these material things the only prize?

Should I pick A, what should I expect at the first set of gates?

The evidence is inconclusive at this time, as to the former.

As far as the latter is concerned, you'll be facing birds. Acquire an electric or ice type early and train it vigorously; they're strong against the first gym.

I don't suppose I could persuade you to share with the class, if the evidence ever turns up? Assuming I don't play a hand in discovering it myself.

Sounds easy enough. What are grass types good against?

You'd like to be kept in the loop, hm?

Grass is strong against Water, Ground, and Rock, as far as I know. There may be others.

Wouldn't most people? Again, in the general sense.

Ground and rock I can understand, but being strong against water is a little shaky. A case could be made for algae, but that's not technically a plant. I'll keep it in mind, though, thanks.

It's an interesting thing to ask of a perfect stranger, that's all.

In a general sense.

You seem like a smart sort. A little cold, which is a dangerous combination in the wrong hands. But sometimes you need to have a little faith and hope for the best.

Besides, I'm not so helpless as to not have a back-up plan.

That back-up plan being?

text;

surpassedjupiter - 2013-10-10 11:13 (UTC) - Expand