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[coolestcat]

[Video feed drifts lazily about New Bark Town. I'm sure you've seen it all before. An amused, disembodied voice begins speaking.]

All right. Obviously, there isn't enough room in this town for an asylum, so I won't bother trying to check into one.

[The camera lingers briefly on Mom's house. The unspoken implication is 'or trying to get others committed.'. The camera comes to focus on Youji's face. His smile is pleasant and friendly.]

I heard the 'Welcome to the world of Pokemon, they're fantastic,' spiel, so elaboration on what's going on is unnecessary. Far too sober to make sense of it anyway. I'd much rather hear about how you're dealing with this.

Comments

[video]

[trolkar.livejournal.com]

[What a strange person]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean...

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

Which part?

The lack of asylum or the 'how are you doing?'

[Which... doesn't count for you 'cause you're a guy. Dang.]

[video]

[trolkar.livejournal.com]

Both of them...

[video]

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

[Lift of eyebrows. Kind of shrugs.]

We-ell. You know what an insane asylum is, correct? Otherwise known as a mental institution, a funny farm, or a nuthouse?

Don't you think waking up in some kid's bed and getting your ass run out of the house with only a bento to show for the effort... well, qualifies for admission?

[He runs a hand through his hair.]

Unless you're used to this kind of thing.

[1/probably 3 or 4 idk] voice

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[holy shit. holy fucking shit. he recognizes that voice. Ken fumbles the Pokegear, because HE IS SURPRISED OKAY.]

...it can't be...

[picking the Pokegear back up now, just in time to see it focus on Youji's face and it is him, he'd recognize that face anywhere, even if it's too young and too open, he hasn't processed that part just yet. Ken's really glad he hasn't bothered to move on from Cherrygrove yet.]

[2/we'll go with 4] voice

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

Bloody fucking hell, Kudou, is that really you?

[Ken's excitement has run miles ahead of his brain, but that's finally catching up and placing that your hair hasn't been that long in a while, and you're actually smiling and looking like you mean it, he hasn't seen you do that in a dog's age. That takes some of the wind out of his sails.]

[3/4] voice -> video

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[there's a bit more fumbling with the Pokegear and then suddenly the video feed blips on, and there's Ken, 'cept a few years older than he's supposed to be from your point of view, and looking half excited and half cautious, 'cause if you think this shit's bananas seeing your six-or-so-years-younger-and-supposed-to-be-someone-else-'cause-he-has-amnesia-BFF when it's already confirmed that he's danced off the deep end at least once makes Ken think he's having a relapse, 'cept with real hallucinations this time 'cause that's always awesome. He thought that was your brand of crazy, dude, were you contagious or something?

Ratty breaks the silence by squeaking out a greeting as he pops over Ken's shoulder. HI, STRANGE MAN THAT'S MAKING MY TRAINER FREAK OUT.]

[4/4] video

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[Ken laughs then, and damn is he happy to see you, you asshole.]

I'd tell you to stay right there, but it'll take me at least two and a half days to get back, so you might want to meet me halfway you bloody bastard. That's what you get for being late, I went on without you.

[POINTING AT YOU ACCUSINGLY.]

[1/2] video

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

[Uh-huh. Pardon me while I stare at you in polite disbelief. The prissy little Smoochum has forced her way up Youji's sleeve and gives the camera a haughty look, before leaning in and trying to kiss-examine it. Youji bats it away absently.]

[2/2] video

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

Must have me confused with someone else, because I only give my name to pretty ladies.

[Tone oozes arrogance, because really, how you could ever confuse some other Kudou with the magnificently intelligent and sexy Youji belies all common sense.]

[ video ]

[ratatoskr.livejournal.com]

I think I'm dealing with it okay...

[ video ]

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

Pray tell me your secret, and whether or not it involves substance abuse.

Re: [ video ]

[ratatoskr.livejournal.com]

S-substance abuse? No! This world is just kind of similar to mine!

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

I'd say "Welcome" but I don't think you're particularly happy to be here.

[Quietly, and with a smile: ] Most of the trainers here are friendly--they're wonderful people. Getting to know them is probably the best way you can adjust to Johto, if you don't have a companion from your world here already.

[Video]

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

A wise observation. I'll take your word for it, you seem to be a sharp one.

[Sweeten the prospect and tell me there's hot girls involved?]

You can still say 'welcome' if it makes you feel better. Goodness knows, I won't deprive a fellow sufferer.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

It's not so hard to miss, especially when you've been in the same position before.

[Sorry, Youji, you'll probably find that most of the girls here bite]

Well...welcome, then. [Pause] Has anyone told you anything about this place yet?

[usedsuitup.livejournal.com]

It sucks. And doesn't stop sucking until you reach Goldenrod.

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

Goldenrod, is it? Tell me that's where the exit door is.

Failing that, a cute secretary.

[usedsuitup.livejournal.com]

I wish bro. I wish. No exit door, but civilization.

Also, try the Joys at the pokemon center. Not to mention that the girls around here fall for a decent amount of flattery.

Video

[cantseeghosts.livejournal.com]

Eh? An asylum? Why would you want an asylum?

Video

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

You are absolutely right.

If I think I want an asylum, I must not really need one.

[He smiles, cranking the charm up to Excessive. He's not interested in her because she looks too young, but there's no harm in complimenting a girl and boosting her self-confidence.]

I'm much in your debt for helping me figure that out. You're a very clever girl, aren't you? Doing well in school?

Video

[cantseeghosts.livejournal.com]

[He's managed to confuse Sawako thoroughly.]

Eh? Oh...Th-thank you very much. But I don't think I've really done anything that deserves praise. I really do appreciate the compliment though! School's going quite well, although I'm afraid I've likely fallen behind since arriving here.

[video]

[a-la-turk.livejournal.com]

By moving forward.

[ The Dratini draped about Valeria's neck lifts her head and utters a single, affirmative "tini" before returning her head to her trainer's shoulder, peering curiously at the man on the screen. She's given a gentle pat on the head as Valeria inclines her head forward in a slight nod, her smile an easy, if not somewhat amused one. ]

Even in dreams, you have to move forward before you can wake up. It's no different here, no matter how bizarre the situation may seem in comparison to what you're accustomed to. So, what are you doing to do now, stranger?

[video]

[coolest-cat.livejournal.com]

...I suppose you'll be disappointed if I say 'get drunk,' won't you? Can't have that.

[The Smoochum nestled under his arm reaches for the camera, trying to get it towards her lips. This Youji politely ignores, simply pushing the camera back out of her reach.]

I was told things improve in Goldenrod, and someone I know is a little further on. I suppose those two work as goals to apply your philosophy to.

[video]

[a-la-turk.livejournal.com]

[ She has to pause at the sight of the Smoochum, which causes her smile to widen a little bit, but she's quick to return her focus to the stranger. ]

It's usually best to have some kind of goal, isn't it? Particularly if you're stuck in an unfamiliar place and you're going to be a while, which you are. No one really has a say in when they're returned home and improvisation only gets you so far, but...

[ And that smile of hers tugs just a little wider. ]

Well, if you really are set on knocking back a few drinks, you'll probably find the best selection of alcohol in Goldenrod, so I'd say whoever told you things improve in Goldenrod is correct. From what I've been able to gather, it's the closest thing to an actual city in this place, so.