GubGar

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

Still here & still down for this, yea. I intended to wait for a full cycle before posting again, but I can post again if need be.

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

Hey guys, at work currently. I feel like I owe everyone an apology. I expected to post Chapter 2 this past Sunday to keep up the “weekly chapters pace”, but irl got ahold of me and I simply hadn’t taken the time to check back in here. (Still have to read Amy’s new post).

So, sorry about that, I hope you’re all understanding. That being said, and keeping in mind that things happen, I believe going to a “biweekly chapters pace” will be easier and more forgiving for everyone involved, so that will be the plan going forward. Please expect Chapter 2 up this Sunday!

Also, as a note, I’m really loving this emerging dynamic between Cal & Niko! Good going guys!

@Goose

No sweat! IRL has a tendency to get ahold of folks. Biweekly chapter pace works fine on my end.

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

Unfortunately, Cal is going to be dealing with Niko a lot. He needs berries to make Poffins!

@Crimson Flame

That was my thinking exactly! Cal being uncomfortable when faced with Niko's overwhelming positivity feels like it has tons of potential for funny interactions.

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

Cal Freesch

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Niko Watanabe's cheeriness seemed to set Cal on edge. The brief bouts of loud excitement kept making him flinch into his shirt collar, like a Squirtle retracting into its shell. He had nothing against the other new trainer, it was just that Cal had grown up in a very sedate environment, with very quiet people. He was not used to this level of energy coming from another human being, and it was agitating him a little. It was probably just because of the already pre-existing nerves from starting such an exciting (and terrifying) chapter of his life, though, Cal wasn't usually so jumpy.

A consistent way to pull him right out of his nervousness though, was the present him with something to catch his interest. And Professor Ivy offering to show them the Lab's ranch definitely qualified as interesting. Cal hurriedly followed her out, soaking up every bit of information she offered with rapt attention. He knew rookie trainers would inevitably make mistakes, but he hoped that if he prepared himself with enough knowledge he could at least cushion the blow of future mistakes.

Plus, Professor Ivy was a Pokemon Professor! Pretty much the coolest job imaginable! Why on earth would anyone not listen to what she had to say?

And of course, the second he was given permission, Cal eagerly lets his Bulbasaur out of its Pokeball, watching in awe as his first Pokemon forms from light in front of him. It was one thing to be given a Pokeball containing a Pokemon, and it was another to meet the Pokemon for the first time in person. The Bulbasaur now standing in front of him didn't look unusual compared to others of the same species, the only immediate difference being the slight increase in number of darker green patches across its body.

Cal pauses for a moment, and lowers himself down into a squat, stumbling as he does due to the size of his Backpack. He didn't want to tower over Bulbasaur on their first meeting, so getting closer to the Pokemon's level seemed better. In one hand, Cal holds his Pokedex to scan the Bulbasaur, and with his other hand, he reaches out. Not to touch, but to put his hand close and let Bulbasaur approach on its own terms. "Nice to meet you, Bulbasaur. Let's, um, let's get along. Okay?"

As he waits to see how Bulbasaur responded to him, the Pokedex finishes scanning with a vwoop!

Species: Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokemon
Type: Grass/Poison
Level: 5
Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Docile
Moveset: Tackle | Growl | Vine Whip | Curse

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

Entirely your choice!

@Goose

Right on! I'll get to writing then.

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

@Goose

Before I have my character scan his Bulbasaur, I figure I ought to ask; do we decide Pokemon natures and abilities, or is that ball in your court, so to speak?

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

Cal Freesch

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Excitement had gradually changed into nervous energy the closer Cal got to receiving his first Pokemon. His father had come with him, reasoning that any independent journey should come after Cal had a Pokemon of his own, not before. His mother had wanted to come as well, but one of them had to stay and tend to the garden. Even with the presence of his father, Cal was starting to get nervous. There were so many different kinds of Pokemon, each one with different habits, different needs. Was he really mature enough to take care of them? What if he messed up? What if he embarrassed himself in front of THE Professor Oak!? Fortunately, Cal's father was used to calming him down, having been doing so for years now. So his father made sure they arrived in Pallet Town early, and spent the morning with Cal, taking a look at the plant life growing around the town while enjoying sandwiches they had packed. Mundane as it were, it was a familiar routine that helped ground Cal enough that by the time he arrived at the lab, (alone, his father was very insistent he ought to do this himself) his nervousness had reverted back to excitement.. Mostly, at least.

Similar to Amy, Cal was let down by Professor Oak's absence. He had really wanted to meet the Professor and pick his brain, but Professor Ivy was just as much a professor as Oak was! She was just less familiar than the older Professor, who's radio show Cal had tuned into countless times. Cal squeaks out a timid hello at a very low volume, nearly inaudible under the background noise of assistances scrambling and machines running. "Uh, I'm Cal. N-Nice to meet everybody." As they move through the Lab, Cal hurriedly tries to etch each assistant's name into his mind, as there were few things more emotionally devastating to him than a minor social mistake, such as forgetting someone's name.

Once they came to a stop in the larger room, Cal's nerves seemed to return full force, as all his prior concerns came right back into his head. But regardless, he shakily steps up to take one of the TOF kits. Taking the time to set down his backpack, open it up, and reorganize it to fit the new belongings. He was pretty particular with how his pack was organized, so by the time he was done, the first starter had already been chosen. Cal was relieved all of the Pokemon seemed beginner friendly. He'd have no idea, for instance, how to tell if a Grimer was healthy or sick. Once Amy chose her first Pokemon and stepped back, Cal stepped forward.

Every Pokemon present seemed so exciting! It was hard to choose! Each one was fascinating, but Cal knew the moment he saw them which he'd want. "..Yeah. I'll go with Bulbasaur." Cal says firmly. Similar to Charmander, it was easy to find any signs of poor health. From Professor Oak's radio show Cal had heard that so long as you monitored the bulb, you'd have a decent idea of Bulbasaur's health. Which eased the number one concern Cal had, which was the fear that he'd fail to care for his Pokemon well enough. Less logically, Cal also simply liked Bulbasaur.

Cal takes ahold of the Pokeball, and steps back into the line, listening intently as the ceremony continued. But the whole way through, the Pokeball felt extremely present in his mind. He just couldn't wait to meet his new friend! So once it concluded, Cal went to speak. Hesitating slightly- which lead to Amy speaking up first. And she asked some really important questions that had slipped Cal's mind, so he was glad she spoke first.

After she finished speaking, Cal chimes in. "Um, those are really good questions, so I'd like to know all of that too. But I was also wondering.. Would it be alright to send out our Pokemon inside the lab? I'd really like to meet mine."

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

I think I'll go for Curse!

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

He's a PokeManiac!

Name: Cal (Callahan) Freesch
Age: 12
Pronouns: He/Him
Appearance:

A scrawny kid with fair skin, bright green eyes complete with circular red rimmed glasses, and short brown hair. Cal is adorned with a series of freckles on his face and typically wears a nervous grin with a missing front tooth that's yet to grow in. He perpetually has dirt underneath his poorly cared for nails, and his t-shirt, vest, shorts, and crocs combo all sport earthly colors. He's of average height for his age, but will likely end up on the shorter end, though not disproportionately so. Cal sports a backpack that seems quite large compared to his own height, and has a pin on his vest that resembles an Oran Berry.

Background:

Cal lands dead center in the role of awkward nerd. He's a timid kid growing up in Fuchsia City, whose eyes light up whenever you give him an opportunity to ramble about one of the many things he's interested in. He does well in school, though it's clear to his teachers that he'd be a much better student if he focused more, and while not especially popular, he has a few friends he hangs around. After school, Cal usually finds himself helping his parents in their garden, enjoying the process of working in the dirt and helping grow things. Cal's always had an interest in Pokemon, every new fact he learns about a Pokemon feels like a prize to him, especially the weird ones. On one occasion he burst into tears when he found out that Gloom was considered an unpopular Pokemon because of its aroma, an event that ended up convincing his parents that despite his shared love for gardening, he'd probably be happier as a trainer. The promise of learning from a Pokemon Professor was what lead to Cal applying for the Pallet Town Scholarship.

First choice: Bulbasaur!
Key Item: Berry Pots "Portable containers that allow you to easily cultivate Berries anywhere and anytime."
Wishlist: I'm down with whatever Cal happens to stumble across, favoring the stranger looking and more 'unloved' Pokemon. But I'd love to get a Shuckle.

Pokémon Journeys - Memories of Kanto

Looks good to me. You’re in!

@Goose

Sweet! I take it I'm clear to move him over to the characters tab then?