[Video]/[Action]

[grapeeater]

[There's an unfamiliar face peering into the Pokegear. One would be forgiven for thinking that it's a newcomer, except...]

Ah. Well... this is a problem...

[He brushes his hair back, looking a bit... troubled.]

I woke up this morning like this. Somehow I've aged ten years in one night. Is anyone else having a problem like this?

[Later, he can be found wandering around Goldenrod, with a Lucario, shiny Greninja, and shiny Pawniard trailing after him. The two shinys look pretty calm, but the Lucario looks slightly distressed at his trainer's predicament.]

Comments

[Video]

[grapeeater]

I think we have close to the same haircut. His hair used to be shorter a few years ago. I've been wanting to grow my hair a bit longer, but I can't get used to how itchy it feels at the back...

[Anyway.]

This... should probably fix itself in a few days, shouldn't it?

[Video]

[ratherbelocky]

[Sigh.]

God, I really need it to. It's a mess over here. People are going backwards 'well as forwards.

[Video]

[grapeeater]

That... sounds rough. I'd offer to help, but I'm not all that good with kids.

[Video]

[ratherbelocky]

[York chuckles without humor.]

I wish kids were the problem. [He sighs again and slides his hands down his face.] Man, this is nuts. Let me tell you, they do not go over the protocol for this in Basic.

[Video]

[grapeeater]

Wait, so did they go backwards... without physically going backwards?

[Video]

[ratherbelocky]

No, nothing like that. Though wouldn't that just be the icing on the cake, damn.

Let me just point out that the general age range of my cohort's higher than yours, all right? So when one of my people goes back...sometimes they go back to something a little less charming than childhood.

[Video]

[grapeeater]

So they go to my usual age. Thanks, that's really flattering, York.

[But he's smiling.]

[Video-->Private]

[ratherbelocky]

[Okay, that's a little funny.]

Well, yeah.

[And he's just gonna...go private. You know, casually. As one does.]

...Ooooorrrr they go back to when they were being tortured in military experiments, so. You know, lose-lose.

[Video][Private]

[grapeeater]

[... Yeah okay that makes the smile drop off of his face immediately.]

... Is there anything I can do to help?

[Not that he can think of anything, but York would know better than he would what might help...]

[Video][Private]

[ratherbelocky]

Nah, I'm just moaning about it to you because my usual go-to is unavailably teenage right now. [He waves a hand dismissively.] It was hard enough getting the other guy to trust people he knows, let alone someone he doesn't.

[Video][Private]

[grapeeater]

It's okay. If you do think of something, let me know. Even if it's "I need someone to get food so we don't starve because I'm trying to not leave these people alone" or something.

I'm in Goldenrod right now anyway. I kind of... ended up here when things were all blocky, and Mai... kind of... needed me, I guess.

[He shifts a bit uncomfortably. He's still not sure how to feel about all of this... everything.]

[Video][Private]

[ratherbelocky]

...Well, maybe. I'll let you know if it comes to that. Thanks.

[It actually is reassuring to have someone he can rely on. Like being in a team again. Anyway.]

So, you met up with Mai? Things good, with you two?

[Video][Private]

[grapeeater]

... Some things got... aired out. So 'good' is kind of a relative term? But we're... not 'okay', but... we're talking, at least. I just... don't feel comfortable in this city. Too many people I... used to know.

[Video][Private]

[ratherbelocky]

[Micchy, please, this is a private line, you can use your words. But no, York gets it.]

Yeah, I hear you. But talking's a step in the right direction, you can trust me on that. Maybe you can slip out while everyone's bite-sized and confused.

[Video][Private]

[grapeeater]

... I can't just slip away from Mai like that, though. Or dump her with someone and run. And with everyone like this I wouldn't feel right just taking her and leaving, it would feel like kidnapping her again.

So I'll... wait. Until we can have a talk without things going so insane.

[Even if he's afraid of what that talk might be like.]

[Video][Private]

[ratherbelocky]

...That was really well thought-out, man. Sounds like a solid plan to me.

[SON. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.]

At least you run a good chance of not getting recognized while things are this nuts. Lying low shouldn't be too hard.

[Video][Private]

[grapeeater]

[At least it's a well thought-out plan for once in his life. One that possibly won't blow up in his face?]

That's true. And if all else fails, I still have a Kadabra with Teleport.

[Video][Private]

[ratherbelocky]

And so should we all.

Let me know if you find out any way to reverse...[He waves a hand vaguely]...this, if it doesn't just go away in a couple days, all right? I'll be in touch.

[Video][Private]

[grapeeater]

Yeah. Good luck.