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tabularasa_memes2020-05-30 04:11 pm
tabularasa_mods) wrote in tabularasa_memes2020-05-30 04:11 pm
Entry tags:
May Test Drive Meme
Test Drive Meme #1
New Locations ▲ New Species ▼ Scenarios ▲ CommentsPlease note that none of the locations and changes described below will be included in the game when it opens. To help create an accurate impression of the game, we have included several imprints suggested by prospective players from the TDM Imprints Submissions. These prompts and locations are only for the TDM. A new arrangement of imprints will be picked when the game opens, which will likely look completely different from the TDM. Please keep this in mind when applying to the game in the future.
Threads from the TDM may be used as samples on your application. TDM samples must be 2 threads with different characters, each with at least 5 comments from your character. Responding to other players on the TDM will also be part of an AC bonus, so we encourage anyone who plans to app to tag out to other players as well.
Full Navigation
Premise ▲ FAQ ▼ State of The World ▲ Locations
Pre-Launch Feedback
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New Location: The Lakeside
Currently the largest defined area within the world, the lakeside is characterized by gray stone cliffs, bright purple trees, and the large body of water situated next to it. Scattered in the clearings between the foliage are the ruins of industrial buildings, though most of them are completely empty on the inside. Fresh graffiti decorates the walls both inside and out, as well as some of the larger cliff faces near to the buildings. Empty dumpsters, metal barrels and broken scaffolding can be found laying around. Barbed fences in various states of disrepair surround most of the buildings, though the gates are all unlocked and open freely to intruders.
On a small island in the middle of the lake is a lighthouse. The lighthouse looks to be in much better shape than the rest of the lakeside's buildings. There's a small dock on the island, but no boats, so you'll need to swim if you want to reach it.
The inside of the lighthouse is packed with Japanese arcade machines. Some of them are stacked on top of each other against the walls, but many more have simply been left in the middle of the entrance and even on the stairs, making it a bit difficult to navigate the building. Colorful banners for popular games and game companies hang from the stairs and ceiling. At the center of the spiral staircase is a giant metal crane, not unlike the kind you'd seen in an arcade crane game. The lamp at the very top of the lighthouse has been replaced by two large TV screens.
Unfortunately, none of the machines in the building seem to have power, so for now they don't do anything.
New Location: The Heart Of Paris
At the edge of the cliffs surrounding the lakeside is a large red tower. From a distance, some newcomers may immediately recognize its shape as the Eiffel Tower, but upon closer inspection it's not like the iron structure one would be familiar with. Instead of iron, the whole tower is made of lengths of solid bone held together with lumps of warm, squishy flesh. The entire structure pulses as if it were alive. The stairs are still in place, allowing visitors to climb the structure, though the sticky fluid coating every surface and the slight swaying of the tower's pulse might make it more difficult.
Hanging from the very center of the tower is a massive blue heart, strung up by a large number of connected veins that weave into the various muscles of the tower. If any of the flesh is cut, it bleeds, and the entire area seems to sway slightly in response.
New Location: The Unforeseen Simulation Joint
On the opposite end of the lakeside area is a large dome-shaped building. The inside of the dome is mostly barren, and a realistic image of a beautiful starry sky filled with constellations decorates the ceiling. There's a small plaza area at the very center, featuring a decorative fountain and some more of the purple trees and plants from the outside. There are dirt pathways that seem like they should be leading to somewhere, but most of them lead to completely empty areas. Two of the paths lead to smaller domes within the main dome, though at this time only one of them contains anything.
The first area of the USJ contains a mountainous environment, featuring gray stone cliffs and luscious green plants. Stairs have been carved into part of the mountainside, leading down to a small spring area at the very bottom. The entire mountain area is set slightly below ground level, however, and what may have once been a small spring is now a large flooded pool with the mountain's peak barely poking up to the surface. A large spiraling water slide has been constructed above the peak, and a second spout of the slide pours a waterfall down to where the base of the spring should be. The water is ice-cold, but calming.
The second area is contained in the smaller red dome, housing the grounds and three-story mansion of a New England estate. The mansion is caught in a massive fiery blaze... although, nothing inside seems to be damaged, and anyone who enters will find that the flames are only uncomfortably warm at worst. Antique furniture, oil paintings and strange figurines can be found in abundance. A large library takes up the center of the building, though the books only seem to contain random nonsense words right now.
New Location: The Heavenly Blanc Bar & Cafe
Near the USJ is a slightly run-down building that's easily recognizable as a bar or restaurant. The large wooden sign over the entrance reads "The Heavenly Blanc Bar & Cafe" in mismatched letters, as if half the words were copied from a completely different source. There are some wooden tables and seating on the outside, as well as several thick pipes jutting in and out of the side of the building.
The inside is clean and cozy, with several conflicting menus on the wall above the counter. None of the lights work, but there's an odd mix of neon signs, classy lamps and plain hanging bulbs. Unlabelled bottles of what one can only assume is alcohol cover the shelves behind the counter, alongside jars of coffee beans and tea leaves. A jukebox, pinball machine and dartboard can also be found in the corner next to the bar, though only the dartboard is playable right now.
At the back of the building is a unisex washroom, as well as the stairs to the second floor attic. Oddly enough, the attic is decorated with thick metal pipes running out from the walls and a large section of metal grating on the floor. The room is stacked haphazardly with boxes and crates, a large TV in one corner, a punching bag, a single-sized bed, and a bench with a computer on it. Much like everything else, unfortunately, none of the electronics work. A large whiteboard takes up one of the walls, and a square table with wooden chairs rests on the grating at the center of the room.
New Species: Fireys
Fireys are lanky, furry humanoids with long ears and beak-like snouts. Fittingly, their pelts are a firey mix of bright reds and golds. Even more fittingly, they can combust their hands and bodies into actual flames. This fire doesn't seem to harm them, though, and they can often be found tossing it among themselves as a sort of game. They have loud, squawking voices and spend much of their time singing together in large groups.
Playful and hedonistic, the fireys are friendly creatures... however, they can be overly persistent in trying to rope others into their games. For whatever reason, the fireys have unusually weak necks and seem to enjoy tearing off each other's heads. This doesn't hurt them at all, though if another creature hangs around them long enough they might try the same thing on them. All in good, harmless fun, of course.
New Species: Jellyrabbits
Jellyrabbits are a jellyfish-like creature covered entirely in short, soft hairs that glow with a faint light. A pair of long ears rest at the top of the umbrella. They have sharp hearing, and their ears are often swiveling about to listen to everything around them. They float like balloons, undulating their bodies to gently drift through the air at a slow and leisurely pace.
Jellyrabbits are incredibly docile. However, they aren't completely defenseless. Touching the tentacles below the umbrella will deliver a painful sting. The fuzzy top is fine to touch, though, and they seem to enjoy a gentle pat or scratch behind the ears.
New Species: Ghowls
The ghowls' natural forms are monstrous creatures roughly the size and shape of a human. They have sharp avian beaks on their faces, vacant white eyes, sickly grey skin with only a handful of feathers still clinging to their bodies, and talon-like fingers and toes with razor-sharp tips. Known for being incredibly violent and relentless, these creatures will attack anything and anyone that isn't one of their own, clawing and biting their victims until they cease moving. There doesn't seem to be any purpose behind these attacks, and the lack of death means that their victims can't be "killed" anyway, but they cannot be reasoned with and will only stop if countered with force.
They have a unique talent, however, that makes them trickier to deal with. Ghowls have the uncanny ability to perfectly mimic any voice they hear. They cannot speak or form their own sentences, but they can copy words and sentences like a parrot. They can also shapeshift their bodies to a limited degree, allowing them to mimic the appearances of humans. While these disguises may not be able to fool someone up close, from a distance they can be easily mistaken for the person they're imitating - and once they're close enough that the disguise fails, they can launch their assault at dizzying speeds.
Scenario A: The Creation Of The World
At first, there is nothing. The endless white of the void stretches out in all directions. For a moment of time that lasts both a millisecond and an eternity, there is nothing but you and the strangers you've found yourself with in this empty, alien world.
In the next moment, there is something. Entire landscapes lift up out of the ground, plants and trees grow to full size in a fraction of a second, water bubbles up from freshly-formed lakebeds, and even buildings spring up from seemingly nowhere to fill the growing space that has just now been defined. The world is suddenly alive, thriving, and expanding at a rapid pace.
The problem is, you're right in the middle of it.
You may have gotten lucky. Maybe you ended up safe and sound on the lakeside, standing under a tree and no worse for wear. Or perhaps a building decided to form itself around where you were standing, and now you're stuck in the middle of it. You might even find yourself at the very tip of the Heart of Paris, clinging to whatever you can grab a hold of to keep yourself from falling.
Wherever it is you are, you're not alone, and you might just need a hand getting your bearings.
Scenario B: Something In The Water
While there is little to eat, people soon find that there is plenty to drink. Every drop of clear, refreshing liquid, no matter whether it be part of the landscape or something found bottled in the bar or cafe, bears the slightest hint of alcoholic heat.
It soon becomes clear that this isn’t quite the alcoholic beverage that its subtle but distinct flavor suggests. No matter how much one drinks, they cannot become drunk. Their judgement remains unclouded and they never become disoriented in the slightest. However, that does not mean it has no effect on those who drink it.
Even under these circumstances, lost in a strange environment that does not know what to do with itself, a drink of water serves to lighten the mood and brighten the spirit. The full effect varies from person to person and from drink to drink - one might simply be more prone to smiling, while another will be filled with such good cheer they cannot help but share it with all who listen. In company, many people become more inclined to talk to their newfound companions, about any and all subjects that come to mind.
If nothing else, it gives people the chance to relax, and with people more inclined to be social it’s a good time to make new friends.
Scenario C: Playing With Fire
An endless blaze rages on within the inner dome of the USJ, and the fireys seem to have taken a liking to it. The furry creatures can be found frolicking within the dome's burning mansion, dancing in the flames and tossing anything they can get their hands on. Every room they touch ends up a mess - the fire may not be able to damage anything, but the fireys sure are making up for it.
They don't seem bothered by people. In fact, they seem quite friendly, though it may be startling at first to have a fireball hurled at your face. If you can keep up with their games, you might even find yourself learning a thing or two about handling fire, tossing it around and picking it up like a natural-born firey.
There isn't much need for the light or warmth of fire right now, but it makes for a fun party trick if you want to surprise someone.
Scenario D: Body Snatchers
The fireys can be a troublesome bunch, but they really don't mean any harm. The same can't be said for every creature here, however...
It might start with a friendly voice, or with a familiar figure waving in the distance. Is it someone you've run into before? But something seems off - didn't you just see them going somewhere else a moment ago? Or is that your own voice calling back, beckoning you to come closer?
Obeying the voice is a mistake, but they won't just stand around waiting, either. The ghowls are faster than they appear to be, and once the gig is up they'll charge forward on all fours, claws out and ready to tear apart anything they can reach. They're bloodthirsty, horrible creatures, and unfortunately for everyone else, they're stuck here too.
You can try to outrun them, or you can try to fight back. Whatever you decide on, you better hope you don't fail. Recovering from disembowelment will be a slow, agonizing process.
back to navigation
no subject
[Blue gives an exaggerated sigh and clips them back to his belt; at the very least, he was fortunate to have them with him; if he'd been off-duty from the Battle Tree- taking a food break or something- it's possible he wouldn't have had them on-hand at all.]
--Ah, come to think of it, my Pokédex wouldn't work earlier either, when I was trying to record these guys. [Blue glances back to indicate the Fireys, digging into the pocket of his backpack to pull out the upgraded Kalos-model Pokédex he'd gotten during his time there; it looked like a small tablet, but the section of screen that should expand with the holograms was totally dead.] Tch! Shoulda stuck to gramps' model. That thing was sturdy as a brick!
...Think this place has some weird problem with machines in general?
no subject
It’s possible we may be somewhere new.
[ no shit, lance, but he keeps talking, his focus on the firey: ]
I haven’t been able to contact any of the Kanto or Johto Elite Four. I even tried Clair. [ he slips his free hand into his pocket to remove his phone, which is, indeed, dead. ] No signal or capabilities whatsoever. Which means we may be cut off from more than we think.
[ he slides his phone back into his pocket before lance glances up at blue, still allowing the fires to play with his fingers. ]
What were you doing before you came here?
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[Don't read into that comment too much, okay. Blue jerks a thumb over-shoulder, indicating to the vast wildlands that lay beyond the USJ.] I mean, not that it would make any sense, since before I remember coming to here, I'm pretty sure it was the middle of the day, and me and Red were just getting some warm-ups in before challengers.
[He ...assumes, naively, that this Lance knows exactly where he and Red have been for the last year or so... from his perspective, anyway.]
And you? That brat Ethan bullying you enough these days?
1/2 i am still toying around with canon point WHO KNOWS LMAO
(1) why are red and blue warming up to face challengers? the last lance knew, red had retreated for private training, and blue was supposed (supposed to) be safeguarding viridian city gym.
(2) the johto league had finished, and indeed, there was another champion of johto, but blue speaks pretty candidly about the young man who helped dismantle team rocket in johto.
(3) he had heard rumors of a new world tournament being organized. maybe that was what blue and red were attending? but even so, lance was surprised to hear red was attending anything at all . . . given the last lance had seen the champion, he had chosen to train in solitude.
(4) why are lance and blue not on the same page?
(5) but most importantly . . . ]
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[ he has left you unsupervised and in charge of a gym for two seconds and this is how you behave, what is wrong with you ]
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[Turns out spending puberty unattended in Kalos produces interesting results.]
Oh, did you not see it yet? [Blue giggles brightly; however old he is, he still reacts like a teen who knows he's doing something naughty.] That whole lake out there- that's not water. I was splashing in it to see if it was safe to drink, yanno, like on the road. But you can taste it and smell it as soon as you get it right up to your face! [He helpfully demonstrates, motioning his cupped hand to his face.]
I mean, I'm not gonna complain, that probably means it's safer. Natural disinfectant, yanno. Oh, but it might be a problem for Pokémon if we can ever get them out of their balls....
[He, at least, doesn't seem too concerned about this...!]
no subject
but, then, blue has never been good at self-discipline. though he has gotten better, with the gym. sort of.
he also doesn't believe blue stopped with a simple taste test at the prospect of a lake full of liquor, but he lets it go, for now. ]
I visited the lake, but didn't wade into it. [ wading into lakes without knowing what's in them is a Bad Idea, but he supposes blue just has a different life view than he does. ] But with that information, sending Gyarados into the lake seems like a bad idea, yes. [ gyarados is a handful on his own, let alone . . . an intoxicated gyarados. what a mess.
but blue had asked a question, and so lance straightens back into standing, crossing his arms over his chest. ]
The Johto League had just closed. I was packing to travel and eradicate the rest of Team Rocket from Johto and Kanto's shores. [ you know, just lance things. ] You were in Viridian City, and Red on Mount Silver. As far as I knew.
[ but those two brats don't tell him anything, clearly, bunch of weirdos. but as lance watches blue carefully, he tilts his head slightly, narrowing his eyes as he takes in blue. and for a moment, it looks like he's going to same something remarkably profound . . . ]
You grew.
[ you're no longer the short(er) angry kid, he's proud(?). ]
no subject
[all of it,]
[Blue already had to stop a fellow or two from trying to swim in it, he's not that dumb, Lance!] Sheesh, even my sweet lil' Gyarados would start Thrashing after that! [Blue's Gyarados was a Jolly, soft fishy lad, okay. Not like your bad-tempered jerk!]
...Anyway, don't gimme that look... After a little while of exploring, I started worrying about food and water, since it's become pretty obvious this place isn't normal. [To say the least.] There's that bar nextdoor, but even all they have is booze. I mean, it makes more sense there, at least...
[Speaking of things that make sense. Or don't. Blue didn't expect Lance to actually give him an answer after that, but the one he does give makes even less sense than what's going on now. Blue doesn't truly catch the drift of it until Team Rocket is mentioned- even though he's about to say "AGAIN?"- and as far as him being in Viridian--]
[He flinches, just a little, at the mention of Mt. Silver. His expression is twisted into a kind of skepticism, looking Lance up and down, like he thinks the Dragon master is pulling his leg.]
[And then the corner of his mouth wobbles, and he busts into laughter, arms holding his stomach.] Bahahaha! Good one, Lancey! You hit your head on the way here, or something!? That was like... years ago!
[He's laughing, and it's not like Lance not laughing is out of the ordinary- crotchety old man- but after a moment, it seems he's not in on this joke.]
[Blue stares though a guffaw.] --You're kidding, right? Come on, laugh already.
no subject
and, instead of, you know, entertaining blue: ]
Years . . .
[ it's murmured to himself, as he tunes blue out to think, casting his gaze toward the burning building. ]
I was defeated, in Johto, weeks ago. Ethan moved on to explore Kanto and to seek new challenges . . . I was packing and talking to Koga. About you, incidentally. [ and lance glances toward blue, his brow furrowing, as if he's remembered blue is still there. ] We were going to travel to Kanto together, to make sure you had the support needed if Team Rocket chose to return to Kanto, but I wanted to go to Blackthorn to train first.
[ lance had assumed blue could handle it. or would tell them, if something had happened. ]
I returning to my chambers in Champions Hall when I wound up here. I don't remember why, or how.
[ he pauses before he returns his attention to the burning building, expression shifting from confused to thoughtful. ]
Either time is in flux or you [ and lance inclines his head toward blue ] have a severe concussion.
[ those are obviously the only two answers. celebi fuckshit or blue being a moron. ]
no subject
[(Stuff in other regions got weird, man.)]
My head's just fine, you sure yours is? Seem to be having a bout of Amnesia there. [Blue's humor fades away into a more familiarly sullen expression, and he rubs the back of his neck. What a pain.......] Well. I guess it'll make you feel better that those morons never made it back to Kanto. Or if they did, it wasn't enough to cause any real commotion.... They're good and done. Haven't seen hide or hair of 'em for years.
[Now a little uncomfortable, Blue adjusts the backpack strap across his chest in a subtle fidget.] And don't gossip about me. Anyway, I resigned from the Gym years ago, so you won't have to worry about that anymore. Not that I wouldn't have been able to crush 'em myself.
[It's very tempting for him to be a little bitchy here, to cover his own lingering misgivings about that whole period of his life. Lance entrusting him with the Gym was something he'd never quite felt secure in deserving, but then, at that time, he didn't really feel like he'd deserved much of anything. It'd been a long time since then, and a lot had changed, but...]
I went to school abroad for a while, and various things happened... Me and Red run the battle facility in the Alola region now, so don't worry about us. We're doin' fine.
no subject
the news of resignation doesn't really surprise him, but the news of what he's doing now does. in a pleasant way. red and blue are exceptionally talented and passionate people, but they both needed to find their path. they simply stumbled toward it in very different ways. and the news that they're running some sort of quasi-gym in alola is heartwarming, to say the least.
so instead of looking disappointed or frustrated, lance actually looks rather pleased, and blue even gets a grin, at the news. ]
That's wonderful. It sounds as if you've both found the place where you need to be.
[ and lance means that, genuinely, his tone warm. but as he continues to speak, his tone shifts from warm to slightly wry. ]
You're much better suited to travel, I think, than sitting in a gym waiting for someone to come to you.
[ one day, maybe, blue will return to kanto and take his place as the leader of viridian city. lance wouldn't have put him there if he didn't genuinely believe blue could do it. but there's a large different, between lance's belief in blue and blue's belief in himself. he'll get there, one day. ]
Do you enjoy it? Alola.
[ forget the time lapse, lance wants deets. for his gossip. ]
no subject
Ahhh, sheesh, don't go getting all mushy... [Blue waves him off with a hand, ignoring the heat in his cheeks.] As island paradises go, it's not bad I guess. --The trainers could be better. [He flashes a cheeky grin. As if he hadn't gotten his ass whupped by another 11 year old just a little while ago but Lance doesn't need to know about that.] But ain't that the truth everywhere?
[It had been a similar discussion, about going into Pokémon research. School had never felt like the right path for him, but he couldn't stand being in Kanto anymore. Eventually it became an out- away from expectations he couldn't live up to, and all the bad memories he'd made for himself.]
[So he can't really argue that... Although he was doing the same thing now- sitting waiting for challengers at the tree- it felt less oppressive than being stuck in Virdian had.]
[And anyway, he wasn't waiting for anyone anymore.]
Aaah, this is so lame! You won't even be a challenge to battle with your old-news tactics! I'm gonna be so bored.
[Forget that they can't use their Pokéballs, it's pointless anyway!!]
no subject
some things are still the same, though. like the lack of tact to the person who probably saved his stupid career. and lance rolls his eyes a little at the remark, but if blue thinks he's escaping that easily: ]
Even the most legendary Masters have to struggle, in order to become great. Part of that struggle includes finding your way, even when it is most difficult. And I have always been proud, that you have carved your own path. But I'm mostly relieved that you've allowed yourself to find your way.
[ but lance pauses, there, before he arches his eyebrows at blue. ]
As for you being bored, we can test that theory once we awaken our respective teams.
[ he's lost like 3 times in his entire life, you snot-nosed brat. you won't beat him again. >:( ]
no subject
[That didn't make it feel any less awkward to hear it- praising or not.]
Come at me, I'm not scared of you. [Blue defiantly huffs, hiding his skittishness as best he can. Put that way, the best way to show Lance just exactly how far he's come.... That would be in battle, right? If he truly thought Lance would be a cakewalk, he wouldn't even bother taunting him.]
[Yeah and how many of them were to Blue!!! That's some pretty damn good odds!]
[....Now, however, that they've established that time is fuckin' weird, there's the matter of everything else around them being weird. Blue spares one last glance at the Fireys, who have returned contentedly to their raucous celebration, and sticks his hands in his pockets to turn towards the dome's exit.]
I guess it's kind of pointless to ask when lakes are made of alcohol around here, but nothing about this place sticks out as familiar to you, right? ..What do you think we should do, for now?
[He's been trying to be aloof about the anxiety of their situation, but... For lack of any other logic to grab onto, he defers to Lance.]
no subject
No, I have never been to a place like this.
[ which is pretty remarkable, he thinks to himself; lance has traveled all over the world and has visited a lot of strange places, but this place is completely alien to him. no one really seems to recognize him here, which is sort of a nice change. he can explore at his leisure without being bothered
until he meets raihan, anyway.but as for what to do, lance is sort of at a loss. he doesn't let that show, though, instead thinking to himself before he shrugs, glancing toward blue. ]
We attempt to figure out who lives here, if anyone. Gather information on the surrounding areas, and try to find more of our friends, if they are here. And if you were with Red, then perhaps he found his way here, too.
[ just to give blue some sort of incentive to hang out with lance a little bit longer. gathering information, trying to track down other trainers . . .that seems to be a good start, anyway. ]
I also want to meet the people, or being, that brought us here, to have a discussion about my Pokemon.
[ lance still looks fairly calm, but it's pretty clear if you know him very well that the conversation about why he can't access his team is probably not going to end well for the other person. ]
no subject
[Luckily, he has no intention of bringing that up.]
[He looks to Lance for answers, because there's no one else; for his mentor to be equally lost was discomforting.]
I was thinking of that... Setting up camp then starting to travel and see if there was some signs of a town anywhere. [His hands fidget in his pockets.] But even food and drink is wacky around here. Even the basics can't be trusted...
[Glancing up to the other man again, Blue's mouth twists anxiously. He's pissed, huh? Can't blame him, Blue decides, although he hadn't decided for himself if he thought there actually was "someone" behind this.]
Do you think it's really on purpose? Some legendary, messing around?
no subject
If we are lucky, the latter. [ lance would much rather talk to lugia than giovanni, any day of the week. and a legendary pokemon who decided to mess with time and space is at least something he understands. a group of people wielding this power is something that really never needs to happen
as exhibited by like 7 other games. ] But truthfully, I have no idea.[ honesty is typically the best policy. still, lance refocuses his attention on blue, tossing the younger trainer a knowing look. ]
But regardless of why we are here, we will be fine. It's nothing more than another challenge to surpass. Nothing can defeat us if we stick together.
[ aka: buck up, kid, he'll get you your arcanine back. and so lance gives a small wave to the fire pokemon who are still burning stuff down before he inclines his head toward the exit, to walk. ]
Show me this lake.
no subject
[It was easy to see a situation in which one of those groups had done the same here; but so far there was no evidence to support that anything about their surroundings was even connected to their world.]
[He has to let out a soft puff of a laugh at Lance's reassurance- he was so corny, as usual. He'd never admit that it was comforting.] Yeah, yeah, don't worry! I won't ditch you either, old man. Not without Dragonite to protect you!
[Blue gives a friendly wave back to the hollering Fireys before exiting out the glass door of the dome, glancing around at the main 'lobby' area of the USJ as they leave. Whatever this building was, it appeared as if it had once been high-tech; maybe the demise of this place was connected to their own not working.]
Didja check out the waterslide over on the other wing!? Now that's some fun I could get behind, once we figure out what's going on around here! [Blue chirps, trying to keep spirits up.] Maybe this building used to be a theme park? Anyway, the lake is down the cliffside from where we are now. Bring-Your-Own-Bottle, by the way.
no subject
[ a bit dryly; he had nothing but a dratini and a magikarp when he got shoved into the ice caves for training, and he survived just fine, thanks!!! but lance lets blue lead the way, sliding his hands into his pockets as he scans the surrounding area. it truly looks like an odd . . . mish-mash of places, jammed together. there's no real rhyme or reason.
the wilderness areas sort of remind him of johto. especially the lake, down the cliffside . . . the lake of rage has a lot of painful memories, but it's truly a beautiful place. full of wildlife and peace, when left alone. but the buildings and graffiti sort of ruin it, much to lance's chagrin.
sometimes people should just leave the wilderness alone.
he's shaken from his thoughts as blue continues to point out the different areas. ]
I'm not so sure I'm the waterslide type of person. [ it's a total lie; you don't get to train dragon-type pokemon without loving a rush of adrenaline, but lance is pretty sure his pokemon would enjoy the slide more than he would . . . if they can fit, anyway. ] But a defunct themepark would probably be the least alarming explanation.
[ so, lance'll take it. ]
And I think we can leave the bottles out of it.
[ he's not babysitting a drunk blue while trapped in this bizarre land, thank you. but as he says so, lance seems to reconsider, and he lets his eyes move to the skies, to see if there are any flying-type pokemon flitting about. ]
At least until we have cause to celebrate, anyway.
[ lance's idea of fun is way different than normal people's idea of fun but he can still get behind the idea of a good drink with people that are not his mentees, thanks. ]
no subject
You never know! Maybe it's a fountain of youth or something. You should have some.
[He can't resist a little more ribbing. And anyway, he wasn't sure Lance's idea of fun was his either; it probably matched up a bit better with Red's. Crazies. Good thing Blue was around to be the voice of reason!]
[As they exit, the mish-mosh bar of sorts off to the side of the massive complex, Blue leads him to the edge of the cliffs they were standing on, in the distance spread out the landscape of this place, with its bizarre but lovely purple trees marred by ruins of human habitation, and in the middle, the wide and sparkling lake with the lighthouse island dotted at the center. Blue waves a hand out over the scene, and very stubbornly tries to ignore the terrifying meat-tower off on the other cliffs.]
It's pretty massive, so other than the running water in these buildings I think it's the only water source I've seen. But it doesn't seem like there's anything else, far as the eye can see....
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but lance is soon distracted by the view of the entire land, and he stops just a few inches short of the edge of the cliff. you sort of lose your fear of heights, when you train dragon-type pokemon, particularly the ones that fly. and he inhales deeply before exhaling slowly, as he takes in the sight properly.
he had headed directly to the usj because it was prominent, but seeing the full scope of the place they had been brought to was . . . humbling, to say the least. his eyes catch the bizarre meat tower in the distance, and his lips tug into a slight frown. it looked ominous, to say the least.
if he ignores that, and focuses on the lake, and the trees: ]
This part almost looks like home.
[ it's murmured to himself; like johto. if he squints. but he's soon distracted by the buildings, the tower, and he speaks a bit louder, to include blue in his train of thought. ]
It looks out of place, doesn't it?
[ and lance lifts a hand to gesture toward the usj and bar, where they came from, and then toward the lake, and the . . . bizarre meat tower. ]
Look at the juxtaposition between the lake and whatever that tower is. And the buildings . . . the dome and the bar, and the tower, they all look completely different.
[ cities like celadon or viridian all look uniform, designed purposefully. this place looks like someone vomited up some ideas and that was that. ]
And there are no native-born people to speak of, at least not that I've seen. Just the Pokemon.
[ since wandering around a bit and running into blue, anyway. ]
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[He can tell from the way Lance takes in the view that he hadn't seen it yet, so he gives it a moment of merciful quiet to just absorb the visual information before he speaks up again.]
In a fever dream, maybe.
[But he knows what Lance means.... It was natural, and vast, peacefully wild. It was more like the mountains and valleys of Johto than the developed seaside cities and forest-nestled caves of Kanto, but... when you looked past the pockmarks of civilization, it just looked like another large Pokémon habitat.]
[Blue grimaces at the motion towards the tower again, but fixes his eyes to the lonely lighthouse instead, pointing down towards it.] Oh yeah, I woke up in there... It's filled with all these junked arcade machines. Wild, right?
--Ah, wait, do you even know what an arcade is? I guess they don't have those in old caves. [And also he's old! Just a reminder! Dismissively,] Anyway, I haven't met anyone 'from' here yet, either. But I've seen another few species of Pokémon, I think. You can kinda see them floating around down on the lake, see? They're sort of like fuzzy Frillish.
[Indeed, dotted over the lake here and there were schools of Jellyrabbits, peacefully floating about. Blue had spent some time watching them already, but they seemed less interested in people than the Fireys.]
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One day, I'll regale you with stories of my own journey to Champion. But I assure you that it didn't start living in a cave.
[ have you even been to blackthorn, blue. he had a house!!! and . . . brought a lot of baby pokemon home without permission. whoops. but his eyes follow blue's line of sight to see the floating pokemon, and he makes a noise of approval. ]
I see. . . [ at least the wildlife looks relatively healthy. but as lance digests all the new information . . . ] So we have a thriving wildlife, a tower that appears to be made out of meat, a defunct theme park, and no water source that isn't contaminated by liquor.
[ he pauses before his tone shifts from observational to dry. ]
I also hold the high score on the pinball machine on the Plateau.
[ it might be a joke, except it isn't. will has never forgiven him for wasting an entire afternoon crushing his high score. that was what he got for telling him he would lose. ]
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Maybe we can find you a big easychair, [Blue retorts, but honestly, he ...wouldn't necessarily mind that, in the right situation. Sure, one could read the many interviews and articles about Lance and find out things like that. But there were always the important stories that the media couldn't tell quite the right way as the man himself; the things that mattered, along the way....]
[Blue was sure there were no interviews out there where he'd ever really told the truth about how things had... gone.]
Can we not talk about the tower, [Blue repeats with a huff, and shrugs his shoulders.] That seems right. None of those buildings out there, [He gestures out over the landscape, at the broken foundations and ruins of walls,] seem to have any actual signs of life, either. Like they've been abandoned for a long time, if anything...
--You guys have a pinball machine?? [His head swings towards Lance, because hold on, this is more important.]
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he glances toward blue at the comment of the tower, but lets it go. it is disconcerting, to say the least. how on earth is it standing? where did they get the meat from? but those are questions lance can seek the answers to on his own.
instead, he exhales in a soft laugh, shaking his head slightly. ]
What do you think we do in our spare time, waiting for challengers?
[ it's a genuine question, as lance arches his eyebrows toward blue, amused. ]
Few people make it to the Indigo Plateau. And of those that do, even fewer make it to me. [ and lance shrugs a shoulder. ] We have to entertain ourselves in the midst of training and our other responsibilities.
[ he does pause, though, and (in something of a resigned, sheepish tone): ]
I will admit the pinball machine was not my contribution to the living space.
[ lance had been more focused on a giant pool for the water pokemon than, you know, a stupid pinball machine, but he supposes he does have a different set of priorities in terms of fun than most normal people. ]
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