no_ufo_ending | Room 039 [Video]

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Room 039 [Video]

_{[The video flips on to the bright lights of a doctor's examination room--or rather a garbage can in the corner of one. It contains the remains of Henry's foot cast. The camera stays on the signature-smothered wrappings for some time as he speaks.]}

This...is a PSA. I'm sure some of you have noticed how...weird...you or your friends may have been acting lately over the weekends. I don't mean where you suddenly lose a few days and remember something about flying school buses and the Koolaid man. I mean suddenly becoming a different person or saying things you don't mean to say or in my case...jumping off of rooftops.

This could happen to you.

_{[He flips the camera around, showing his usual tired, not-very-shaven face. The clinic ceiling lights blare behind him.]}

And so...I think we should develop some kind of...I don't know. A buddy system? If you suddenly find yourself having strange ideas or--hell--any ideas at all, ask a buddy. Or ask two buddies in case they've got the same problem you do. Create a whole network of buddies.

I'll be your buddy. So, uh...yeah. That's all.

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[The buddy system sounds great, but first-]

Flying school buses and the Koolaid man?

i am not the best person to explain the other weird weekends we have. just trust me when i say things get weird here

I know. I got really sleepy and lazy one day. Shion put me on a skateboard and pulled me through town because I didn't want to get up.

Shion sounds like a good friend.

She is! I still feel bad, but I don't know why it happened. Is it like what you were talking about?

That's exactly what I'm talking about.

Do you know if there's going to be more days like that? It wasn't like this at all last year.

I don't know. I've been here for years and what's been happening to us is entirely new.

I guess the world got bored? And it's trying to have fun?

Wait, is that even possible?

_{[Text cannot properly transcribe the thousand-yard stare Henry has.]}

It would not surprise me.

It sounds like some the worlds back before I got here.

did weird things start happening there too?

Yeah... but they're really hard to explain for some of them.

That's okay. You don't have to. Strange things started happening in my world too and I wouldn't even know where to start.

I've been to a lot of worlds, and this is a pretty normal place compared to those.

You're used to magical colorful animal fights?

I guess so? Some of the Heartless and Nobodies look like animals.

_{[He feels like he's heard that term tossed around on the network before.]}

Did any of them fight for you?

Some of them. Like the Samurai Nobodies.

This must have been pretty easy to get used to then.

Yeah. But I like the monsters here better.

About time you got to get that thing off. I can't believe it takes that long just for a broken foot...

[HUMAN HEALING TIMES...]

You sure a buddy system would work? I mean, you told the whole network but we didn't exactly have time to get up on the roof and stop you.

The foot has a lot of bones in it.

_{[Henry's on his way home now, still walking with a slight limp as he gets used to walking flat-footed again. HE NEVER MISSED HIS SNEAKER SO MUCH. It feels so weird.]}

You guys should have known something was up after all those pancakes.

I guess that's true, but we still didn't know you'd jump off the roof until you did it.

But next time you start screaming about pancakes we'll strap you down to the couch. Or have Wrath sit on you. How about that?

_{[That gets something close to an eye roll.]}

Thanks.

[And that eye roll gets a grin right back.]

You're welcome.

Hey, though, we should celebrate you getting that thing off. We could all use it.

[With Al and Scar gone, and Lust off mourning somewhere in private, the remaining members of the household probably do need something.]

_{[What was starting to look like a pout is quickly interrupted.]}

Celebrate? I think you're right. What if I cooked for us?

Hey, you could. And I could help out. Some, anyway.

[While his actual cooking skills are still pretty subpar, one thing he did learn how to do over the years France was here is help with things like chopping and grabbing ingredients.]

You could. You're doing much better. I'll ask what everyone wants when I get home.

I'm in Goldenrod now, so if something happens where you need a buddy.... I can help out then instead of after the fact.

Oh it's you! Hello!
I wanted to thank you again for the care package you sent me. I would love to repay you. Do you need any supplies?

There's nothing I can't get myself. Goldenrod is still as big as ever, isn't it? It's weird to be back again. I keep thinking I'll get lost.

I have some points left on my Slakoffee card. Let me at least give you that.

Slakoffee, huh? I don't think I've ever been.

It's pretty good. It's more affordable than Sawsbucks is. I can drop the card off for you if you're in Goldenrod.

Sure. Do you want to meet somewhere?

How does the Pokemon Center sound? I need to go there anyway today.

Sounds good. I'll see you there?

Sure.

_{[AND SO IT COMES TO PASS that the lanky fellow decides to hang around the Pokemon Center so that his care package buddy can find him. He already has the coffee punch card in-hand and is watching his Trubbish admire a few newly sprouted spring flowers.]}

[Red's arrival is preceded by the sound of music- more music than what is the usual for Johto, anyway. It's the sounds of a violin, coming from a small Chatot perched happily on her shoulder. At the sight of Henry, the Chatot cuts off and trills a greeting.]

[Red just waves, a reserved smile on her face.]

_{[He has to admit that violin sounds coming out of an animal is pretty unexpected, even in this place, so he stares at the Chatot until it swaps over to normal bird noises. Henry gives a little jump then as if he's only just noticed Red.]}

Oh! Hey. Here you are...

_{[He offers the punch card to her with a small smile and then shifts his weight from one foot to the other.]}

All better, see?

[Yeah, Chatots do that. Coming to a stop, Red gives a small round of applause for him and grins before taking the card. Good job, Henry, we knew you could recover and not break another leg.]

[While her Chatot reverts to humming quietly, she goes to open the door and gesture him inside.]

_{[Here is where Henry hesitates. His PLAN was to pass off the card, thank the woman, and make his way back to the house. Even though his social skills have really improved ever since arriving here, this making new friends face to face thing is still pretty tricky.]}

...Sure.

_{[He ducks inside and stuffs his hands into his pockets. Maybe she had some Poke'Business to tend to?]}

[Well, there is the usual exchange of Pokemon to the Nurse Joy on duty, but then she comes back, fishing out her Pokegear. The Chatot is still on her shoulder, peering down at her fingers as she types out a response to show him.]

Did you want to get coffee?

Er...

_{[Henry stalls again. She seems nice. But he generally liked to prepare himself for social interaction. An idea comes to him suddenly and he pulls out his own gear, quickly thumbing a reply.]}

Sure!

[For a second, she's a little unsure, that maybe she's being too pushy. It's been a long time since she's socialized in person. When he pulls out his Gear, however, she relaxes and smiles slightly again.]

[Her fingers seem a bit more at ease on the keys. She's had a couple years of practice.]

Lead the way.

_{[And lead the way he does! Slakoffee isn't very far away. It's a nice little out-of-the-way shop and every table and booth inside seems to be a dim, private corner whether or not it's actually in the corner. The menu isn't overly large but when your mascot is a huge sloth, you don't expect your customers to be terribly adventurous either.]

[He motions for her to order first. He's trying to decide of he wants his usual or not just yet.]}

[Fortunately, Red isn't a hard to please person. She takes a small glance over the little menu, and goes with a simple espresso. It takes a little gesturing, but she's had more than a year to practice now. As its rung up, she glances over to Henry.]

_{[After a short session of worrying about being judged, Henry places his order which contains enough shots of espresso to kill someone who hasn't had to deal with art student schedules before. Once his drink is in hand, he shoots her another text.]}

They get me here. I can show you my favorite spot.

[As someone vaguely connected to the art student life that is hell, Red doesn't judge. True love is finding a boyfriend who supplies you with worrying amounts of caffeine when you're on a creative roll and want to spite sleep.]

[Cradling her own drink in one hand, she checks the text with her free one before nodding to him encouragingly.]

_{[Soon, they are tucked away in a corner with a small window that faces a Pokemon grooming parlor across the street. Someone drying off a shiny Growlithe is visible from where they sit. Henry's gotten a lot of great photos from this spot.]}

How long have you been in Goldenrod?

[Sipping at her drink, Red thinks over the dates a bit before reaching over to tap out an answer with one hand.]

Only a few weeks or so. I might head back to Cianwood when summer hits.

The beach here is incredible in summer. At least stay long enough to see that.

_{[Henry offers this with a small smile. Their beach days were some of his favorites. And this year Flotsam would probably be big enough to ride!]}

[Ducking her head, Red gives a small shy smile back.]

That sounds like a glowing recommendation.

It's--

_{[Henry nearly forgets himself in his excitement.]}

It's become a sort of tradition with my friends and I to have a big beach party. I think it's the only time I like being outside.

Who are your friends?

[A thoughtful look crosses her face. It'd be nice to have an easy way to just see a lot of people all at once...]

Until stuff happens and you're not in a position to contact your buddy even if you can think to. But I guess for most things that's not a bad plan.

Maybe everyone should make sure not to be alone during weekends.

Not being alone is a good start. Weekends, October... I mean, at that point there's not much they can do, either, but.

October, right...I almost forgot about that. It's soon, isn't it?

_{[HENRY. IT'S MARCH.]}

...Not really? It's only March, we've still got a few months.

Oh. Right. That's right.

Oh no...that means April is coming.

...Why are you worried about April? There's been that Prom thing or whatever these past few years, but all that is is a party. Which is bothersome, sure, but not October levels of bothersome.

_{[Henry works himself up enough to actually emote.]}

April fool's day.

...Huh?

[Sorry, he's from a world where that isn't a thing, and even if he's seen it here he hasn't really paid attention...]

The first of April. It's a holiday centered around playing pranks.

Okay...

[he doesn't really get why that would be a thing but let's go with it]

I'm gonna guess you have friends who like doing that?

It isn't my friends I'm worried about. It's the world itself.

...If it helps, I've been here five years, and I've never heard of this place itself doing something like that on the first of April.

Ah...hm.

_{[Thoughtful face.]}

Hm. It does. Kind of. Thanks.

No problem.

And hey, if I turn out to be wrong this year, I'll ask Sion if he's got a recommendation for a good bar for you or something, if you want.

A different person? Jumping off roofs? Losing time- this stuff happens here?! I... I've been here a month or so, and nothing's...ohgosh, I don't really have many people I know hanging around me.

Oof. Welcome to Johto. It is a nice place...I would honestly rather be here than anywhere. But it's not perfect.

You can call this number if you suddenly get any weird ideas. I was serious about that offer.

Ha, great. Like a crisis hotline for bizarro behavior. [Nnghhhh] I thought I was away from all the weird, nightmare fuel stuff...

Ugh, it's a nice offer...that maybe I'll take you up on, but I SERIOUSLY hope I NEVER have to.

I hope so too. Honestly, breaking my foot is probably the worst thing that's happened in all the years Iv'e been here. So maybe don't worry too much.

_{[Except for the time his friend's SOUL got RIPPED OUT OF HER BODY by a weird bug. That was pretty bad. Oh. Or the time he BECAME A MUTANT AND LOST THE USE OF HIS ARMS.]}

[If you don't want a hysterical girl on the other end, Do Not tell her either of that. JESUS PokéWorld, you were supposed to be SAFE, but instead there's SHEDINJA and FREAK EVENTS.]

That's...reassuring... How long's that been...?

Ah-- hmm.

_{[Henry makes a few other quiet thoughtful sounds as he tries to remember correctly.]}

At...least four years.

Fff- ahaaa, ah... [Sputter. Jesus.] Another...long-runner. Oh. ...Statistics I can trust then, huh...? No...being chased by monsters or anything?

Nothing but pocket monsters...that was a terrible joke.

[...]

Jesus christ that's what it stands for doesn't it.

Yes. But you always have your team to help you out and you can avoid Pokemon all together by staying out of the tall grass and caves.

So they don't just charge you, right? Not- out of nowhere? So all there is to worry about is this- this weird...mental changing thingy?

They're just animals. Bears don't go around looking for a fight after all.

Animals can still do some damage... But I guess you're right.

You'll have your team with you too. You're their best friend and they'll do everything in their power to keep you safe.

I- I am, that's... There's just so much here that's a big mystery. And I kind of- my mind fills in blanks with some pretty bad things...

I'll, um, try to remember that though. There's safety here...even if not all the time.

Right. And if you find yourself in a jam, help is just a call away. Several people have Pokemon who are able to fly long distances very quickly who can get you out of trouble.

Thank you, it's... It's really nice of you to say all this. Warn everyone, reassure total strangers.

Hey, this place can be pretty confusing. Nobody should have to figure it all out alone.

True indeed...

So, what's your name, helpful guy who jumped off a roof?

[...don't tease him]

It's Henry.

_{[He hesitates. The teasing is obvious, but he's so glad to have that stupid cast off that he can take it and even dish it back out.]}

Henry Danger Townshend.

Gee, so many people with the middle name "Danger" around here...

I'm Ashley. Ashley Williams, if you need a last name.

It's not the strangest name I've heard here.

It's nice to meet you, Ashley.

It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Townshend.

i think being around other people WAS my problem both times this happened to me
still
its a nice thought
and at least im glad people KNOW this is a thing so i dont feel like a crazy person explaining rapid personality changes after they happen

It was pretty alarming the first time it happened.

i believe it
still
is it really THAT regular?
i dont want to have to make my team lock me up every friday night
thats like the complete opposite of my idea of a good time
and no one else wants it either

It hasn't happened enough for me to give you a real answer. I just think it's something we should all be aware of.

twice is creepy enough
this month has been quiet on that front so far
unless just no one near me has been affected
what about you?

Well there was the Roof Incident.
And a day when it was nearly impossible to keep my mouth shut. That was terrible.

i know what that last part's like
but what was the "roof incident"?

I jumped off the roof.

I wasn't trying to hurt myself. I wasn't thinking at all.

_{[Is he going to tell a stranger about his quest to capture Fat Stanley the Pidove? Heck no!]}

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Room 039 [Video]

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