♮ [001] ♬ video

[sonore]

H-hey cut that out I’m trying to—
[ Don’t mind Neku as he fumbles with the communicator, a burst of flames appearing on the screen as orange locks of hair come in and out of focus. At least he's had enough sense to wait until he's relatively calm to even think to use the Gear like this. ] I know you’re hungry but just wait a sec—

[ Which was followed by the PokéGear Connect dropping to the ground, showing a rather lively cyndaquil climbing up on his owner, perching on his shoulder. Thankfully, his fire had disappeared for the time being, and he was currently nuzzling the young man’s cheek. ]

I really hope that’s not broken… damn… [ Despite his rather grumpy statement and crossed arms, there was a hint of a smile appearing on his face. How could anyone be mad when a cyndaquil was nuzzling you? ] Geez, you’re such a pest… [ It was spoken with a gentle warmth before Neku leaned down to snatch up the PokéGear Connect. They're surprisingly similar, what with their spikes and whatnot. ]

--Uh, sorry ‘bout that. Would someone be willing to give me a heads up on where to go from here? I’m kinda stuck walking around in a circle.

[ yeah there’s a lot of trees and Neku isn’t so great with places that aren’t cities so he just lamely tilts the PCG to show his surroundings. Definitely near New Bark Town, just outside of it, in fact!!… ] ...Thanks.

Comments

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

[ ... welp. What have we here. Almost a year after he, Neku, and Shiki arrived here the first time, Neku shows up again.

For several minutes, Joshua debates just not responding. Let Neku experience Johto without him. Stay out of his way, let him live his own life as he was meant to.

But Joshua won't stay off the network forever, and eventually Neku would catch wind of him one way or another. If they're going to talk, it might as well be on Joshua's terms. ]

You head to the next town, of course.

[Video]

[itsjustdust]

Well... do you know where the road is?

[video]

[sonore]

Thanks for the advice, Captain Obvious....

[ Neku sighs and he tries to get comfortable - or as comfortable as one can get whilst being lost and leaning against a tree....

He really shouldn't be surprised that Joshua is here. He really shouldn't be. And yet, he is. Marginally so. ]

I'm done playing house or whatever this is. Send me home, Joshua.

[Video]

[sonore]

... Kinda lost track of it.

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

... You don't remember?

[ That catches him by surprise. Here he'd at least been expecting that much from Neku. If he didn't remember... well, there were a lot of things that could mean. None that Joshua could investigate, having almost none of his power.

But he wasn't sure what he thought of them. ]

You've been here before.

[Video]

[itsjustdust]

Okay then, listen real hard for me okay? Can you pick out any sounds?

video;

[ragnarok_strike]

I know there - you head straight, I think?
[laguna no
that's the way back to new bark town
you basically got dragged by your girls to cherrygrove and beyond
you are not good at directions]

Action

[naive_nature]

[Here comes a rather tall guy with a polar bear on his head.] Hello! Are you lost too?

[video]

[sonore]

No, I havent.

[ It's half indignant and half hesitant. The cyndaquil curiously pokes into the screen again for a second to stare at Joshua curiously, flames momentarily appearing. ]

You didn't mess with my memories again, did you?

[Video]

[sonore]

Uh, ok...

[ He's listening, he's listening... ]

...Just chirping and stuff, I guess.

video;

[sonore]

[ Straight? Straight? He's glancing ahead. MAYBE THAT MAKES SENSE!!! ]

I'll try it... thanks.

Action

[sonore]

[ ... He's eying that polar bear ok. ] I guess, yeah.

[ Hesitant stare! ]

[Video]

[itsjustdust]

[...better than nothing.]

Did you go over any ledges?

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

[ Neku stop talking about Composer things over the public network, dammit. ]

If any of your memories have been changed, it certainly hasn't been my fault.

[ And he doesn't have an Eevee this time... Maybe because his Eevee is here with Joshua? ]

And I'm not the reason you're here, either. Sorry to burst your bubble.

video;

[ragnarok_strike]

No problem! It's a bit hard the first few days - at least you have a fire-type. It was pretty bad when I came here - there was a full-on blizzard, and a swarm of powerful monsters...
[...
Whoops. He's talking too much about himself again. As he says the next bit, a shiny Munna is peering over onto the screen, nomming the air a bit.]
By the by, my name's Laguna. I've only been here for a bit over a month.

video;

[heartdive]

Neku?

Re: Action

[naive_nature]

It's really strange isn't it? I guess you just woke up here today too?

[Video]

[hoperaider]

Absolutely! You've got two options, chap. One is taking the ferry over to the Kanto region or you can head on over to Cherrygrove City to start your adventure through Johto! You could take the gym challenge in both regions or you can just do whatever you like.

video;

[sonore]

...Yeah? That's my name.

[Video]

[sonore]

'Chap' ...?

Why do I have to take the gym challenges, exactly?

Action

[sonore]

Pretty much. Same for you?

[Video]

[sonore]

Not that I'm aware of?

[ ....ledges what ]

[video]

[sonore]

[ Rude Joshua, so very rude. And he'll talk about COMPOSER STUFF ALL HE WANTS. ]

Then what's going on. And don't gimme that crap the people back in town did.

[ Can you tell he's kinda exhausted? ]

[Video]

[itsjustdust]

No no. That's -good-. If you'd gone over any ledges you wouldn't be able to go back the way you came. Now. Have you come back on your own footprints?

Re: Action

[naive_nature]

Exactly. Then I started getting followed by this little one here, [he points to the Cubchoo on his head.] I thought for sure his mother would come for me.