artificialrose | 1st Petal // Video

I got rather fortunate. The kimono I arrived in was positively beautiful, but it's not very practical for traveling.

[This sure is a new face appearing on the network, seated at a window seat in a cafe. The way the 'Gear is positioned shows Cherrygrove outside, so it's clear he's done a little traveling. The bandana tied around his arm and the green apron he's wearing identify him as a shiny new breeder. There's a little Charmander on his shoulder, too.]

Let me introduce myself. My name is Garry- I'm a friend of Ib's if you happen to know her. We arrived in Cherrygrove not too long ago. I was hoping now that I've gotten... a little used to things, maybe someone could answer a few questions I have.

I'm apparently a "breeder", or at least that's what it seems to say in this handbook I was given. I've read through it, so I think I have a decent idea of what to do.. It seems Izzy here- [A point to the Charmander.] - is in the 'Monster' and 'Dragon' groups, right? What sort of Pokemon are good to breed in those groups? Or... if you don't know, what are your favorite to breed? Any sort of tips would be appreciated.

I got an egg not too long ago- [He adjusts the camera to show the little egg on his lap.] Cyndaquil is in the... field group, I believe. I know it doesn't match, but I thought maybe it would be for the best if I didn't jump into things right away. Pokemon being 'just friends' seems like a good start before I start to breed them.

[He'd much rather be home... But when in Rome, right?]

Also, I've heard there are some people who have been here for quite some time. If you'd like to talk, I'm curious about some things.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Marcia could argue that the two situations are very different, and that adapting in such a way is an awful idea. It means there are more of those creatures around- and more mouths to feed. She won't outright bash the idea, because she can at least see he's trying to do good.

But a firm opinion or two never hurt anyone.]

Alright. What happens if the eggs hatch before you can sell them? Then you will have more mouths to feed, how will you afford that?

You can still sell animals, can't you? I suppose it would be a bit like dogbreeding then, wouldn't it... I really don't want to have too many on my hands, I just got this egg in case anything happened to Izzy.

It probably would, yes. But dog can be hard to sell all the same. You would still have to feed them in the interim.

[A small pause.]

Where did you get this egg, anyway?

If it's just for a little while... I think I should be fine.

Ah, there was an advertisement for a place called the Breeding Center. It seems like they deal a lot with selling eggs and helping Pokemon become adopted...

[Marcia won't admit it, but the more she's talked to people, the more she's come to realize that... Well, maybe she should get a second of these creatures. So the breeding centre has her attention now.]

And was this egg free?

Just this one. Apparently, to help people who've just arrived in this place, they give out one free egg.

Any others you have to buy... But I don't have enough money for that just yet.

How... generous of them.

[Even though she's tempted, she still wholeheartedly disapproves of the concept in general. Oh, how complicated her life is.]

I would hope you wouldn't waste money on one of them, at the very least. I don't expect children to know how to budget money carefully, so I would say you're doing well for yourself so far.

Well, I was living on my own away from my parents before I was brought here. There were particular schools I wanted to go to, you see. They helped with a lot of things... But I tried to rely on myself when I could.

Well good for you. Independence is a good thing to have. It's never a good idea to rely too much on other people.

It does come in handy for things like this, although I never expected it to happen.

That reminds me, how have you been doing? The weather has been a bit cold, and it is a bit of a treck to get to Cherrygrove... Or did you go on the boat?

[His question has her pausing for a few moments.]

Er... I've not left New Bark Town yet.

[She clears her throat, trying to pass it off as no big deal, like she's totally fine with just staying in one spot and not embarrassed over it in the slightest.]

Thankfully, the clothes I arrived in are rather warm.

[...Well then. Garry pauses for a moment himself, trying to figure out the best way to approach this.]

That's good to hear you're alright, then. I didn't think there was much to do there... Or anywhere to stay.

Of course there is somewhere to stay.

[Not somewhere comfortable, but still somewhere to stay.

But she's getting the feeling that she might have to leave rather soon. Supplies are running slim. She just doesn't want to admit it.]

How long did it take you to reach the neighboring town?

With our pace, it was three days. There were a few encounters, but Izzy didn't seem to mind them much. It really does seem like they're good at defending themselves.

Three days?

Please tell me you were going slowly. If it takes me that long, I think I might go crazy.

I think you might go more crazy if you have to stay in that town... I suppose we could have gone faster, but I didn't want to tire Ib out that much.

It is rather boring, that's true.

[But she's still reluctant to leave. But she's starting to realize she might have to.]

It must be hard on her, traveling so much. It's good that you didn't push her overly hard. Did you two have enough food to make it there? I shudder to think what it might be like to run out of supplies in the middle of the wilderness.

She's actually a surprisingly strong girl. A lot stronger and smarter than she gets credit for... [A fond thankful smile passes over his face as he thinks back to everything they've gone through together.]

She held up very well on the way here. When we combined our packs together, we just enough to make it. Izzy and Flower- our Pokemon- didn't seem to need as much looking after as I would have thought, either, although they still ate a bit.