001. Video.

[scientificflair]

[The 'Gear had been an interesting thing to figure out - an amusing little toy, really; while calling it a puzzle would have been giving it entirely too much credit, Descole had enjoyed himself with it for a while. The afternoon had been spent watching the others post to the network; apparently he wasn't the only one that had randomly found himself stuck here. Really, there had been at least one other that day posting to say that they had found themselves in the same predicament.

How odd.

Tonight, his own feed comes alive, focusing in on a dimly-lit room and just enough of a figure to indicate that there's a person sitting in that chair over there, though he's leaning back and the camera is situated at an angle in relation to the person, keeping his face out of view of the camera. There doesn't appear to be too many distinguishing points about the individual, as he appears to be draped in a long black cape of some sort, though toward the upper corner of the frame, there's an obvious fluffy shock of white among all the dark folds of fabric, and the edges of his sleeves are ruffled and white, pale against what's visible of his hands where they're folded against what appears to be a desk or table of some sort.

All part of the act, of course; keep the audience guessing.

When he speaks, his voice is cordial, but almost stiffly formal - not quite rehearsed, but he's clearly been thinking about what to say for some time.]

Assuming this message manages to reach anyone, if someone would do me the favor of actually obliging me and letting me know where I am, that would be appreciated - there was a red-haired woman in here earlier claiming that she was doing exactly that, but unfortunately, she didn't say anything terribly useful.

[He leans forward a bit, the slightest hint of a smirk edging into the frame above that white boa.]

And if anyone just happens to know where my swords have gone...really, if you know what's in your best interests you'll return them as quickly as possible. I can't say there won't be any hard feelings, but I'm sure we can work something out.

Comments

[video]

[idlewanderlust]

Welcome to Johto, Sir~!

If I had to make a guess, I would make one that involved your dangerous weapons being whisked away entirely to some magical storage area... At least I think that's part of the theme here?

[video]

[scientificflair]

[He remains mostly out of view of the camera; however, his hands do shift position, steepling his fingers idly. He's still smirking.]

How fascinating - and I suppose the only explanation given for us suddenly arriving here is "magic", as well?

[He doesn't buy it, of course; he knows better than most that any sufficient technology is indistinguishable from magic.]

Do go on, however; tell me a bit more about this "theme" you've mentioned.

[video]

[idlewanderlust]

My... Truth be told, I never put too much thought into the how of things... Just the fact that I was now here.

*Smiling! She doesn't mind all his mysteriousness one bit.*

Ara ara... Do you mean the theme in general, or the one about things being taken from you on arrival? I still don't quite understand the latter all that much myself...

[snapandscoot]

[[Emmy has just started happily fishing in one of the bodies of water just outside Violet City; it's a lovely day, the fish are biting, and her and her Pokemon are quite enjoying being out in the sun! It's nice to take a break from training all the time.

Her Pokegear is lying by her side, on; occasionally she'll push a button and hook onto a different feed, just to listen to what's going on! You never know, there could be potential clues to the puzzle she's trying to solve!

So when she pushes the button again, humming to herself, it takes her a minute to realise that she recognizes the voice coming out of it.]]

Hm?

[[Frowning slightly, she turns the 'Gear so that she can actually see the video. Her eyes widen.]]

You have got to be joking!

[[The nerve of him, showing up to Johto on this day! She was having such a good time! She's absolutely furious!!

In fact, her words are blending themselves together in such a twisted mess that the only thing she can push out is-]]

...you!!

[scientificflair]

[Oh, what's this? This place just got far more interesting - or if not interesting, then at least entertaining.]

Well, well - if it isn't Professor Layton's assistant herself! I would question to what I owe this pleasure, but I doubt either of us really consider it to be such, now, do we?

[snapandscoot]

[[GOD IF ONLY SHE COULD PUNCH PEOPLE THROUGH HER POKEGEAR SCREEN]]

What are you doing here, Descole?!

[[And on her day off, too! She was having a really nice time!]]

[VIDEO]

[determinator]

[...Well aren't you fabulous. Granted, he can't get a very good look at you from that angle but... Oh come on, the only person he's ever seen wearing anything fluffy and white was Greed. Clearly this is giving off the best impression ever right now.]

This is Johto. I'm afraid I can't tell you how you ended up here or why you're here; no one knows. As for your swords, you won't be seeing those again any time soon.

[That sounds interesting though, let's pursue that!]

I'm assuming those swords aren't just for show.

[VIDEO]

[scientificflair]

[Well, isn't that bit of information lovely. Either way, he's not exactly going to give you much of a better look at him just yet, though that smirk may have just deepened quite a bit.]

You assume correctly - it would be quite a shame to lose them otherwise, but nothing really worthy of concern. But no, they're quite functional.

[VIDEO]

[determinator]

I doubt you'll see them anytime soon. I've been here for over four months and I haven't gotten my gun back.

[Not that he's really been searching for it or anything.]

[Video]

[vengefulyears]

[Those clothes look oddly familiar... He can't judge by voice since Clive has never actually met the man before, but he's fairly certain he's correct in assuming that this man is Descole. Who else would wear such an eccentric outfit? Well, whether he's correct or not, it wouldn't hurt to give the guy a quick little Johto 101.]

You are in Johto, a land filled with animal-like creatures called Pokémon, which you can capture and raise to battle against other Pokémon trainers, or you can just breed them or keep them as pets if battling isn't your thing. If it is, however, you may or may not be interested in going around the region and collecting badges, which you can earn by defeating the Gym Leader in each town, though I believe New Bark Town and Cherrygrove City are the only places that don't have a gym. There's also another region called Kanto, which you can get to by taking the train in Goldenrod City. I believe tickets are P20000.

Oh, yes, there's no way to return home of your own free will, so don't even bother attempting to leave. It may also be worth noting that it is impossible for people and Pokémon to die in both Johto and Kanto.

And as for your swords, they're not here. Weapons seem to magically disappear upon arriving in this place.

[That should be enough information. He pauses for a moment and gives a courteous smile.]

Any further questions?

[Video]

[scientificflair]

[Well, aren't you a veritable font of information? He won't interrupt you, however, especially not once he realizes what you're doing; he takes it all in silently, though by the end he's shifted his hands upward, steepling his fingers while he considers.]

I suppose it would be too easy if you had any information on those that brought us here in the first place.

[Video]

[vengefulyears]

[Clive tries to be as helpful as he can. After all, he's a gentleman!]

Yes, I'm afraid it would be. I don't have the slightest clue on who or what brought us here, or for what purpose. It just happens. However, people seem to randomly disappear as often as they appear, so there is a possibility that you will be able to return home someday.

[Audio]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Your ssssswords? Gone! For ssssome reason no one arrives with weapons. It's just one of the many strange things about Johto.

[Audio]

[scientificflair]

And am I to assume that you ended up in this place against your will as well?

[Audio]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Of course! I've been here for over one year! Sssso if I were you, I wouldn't expect to get your swords back or return home any time ssssoon!

[Video]

[hintcoinplz]

[Ohh, Luke hasn't heard that voice in a while now. It's not a voice he's happy to hear.]

Descole!

[Video]

[scientificflair]

[The feeling is mutual, boy.]

Oh, it's you.

[Not. Impressed. At all over here, Luke.]

[notrueking]

[...well, aren't you flashy... of course, that last point is definitely of interest to him]

I couldn't say where your weapons would be, though I can understand your frustration. Granted, it seems as though proper weapons aren't exactly legal here-a bit odd, given that we're entrusted with potentially dangerous animals right away.

[scientificflair]

[Well, that's certainly something, isn't it.]

A very valid point indeed, my good man - am I to assume you're in a similar situation, then?

[Video.]

[shakespearealien]

A red-haired woman, you say...? [A bit of a smirk.]

Welcome to Johto. There is much I could say about this place, but discovering its many wonders is definitely more interesting, not to mention more intellectually challenging, than simply hearing of them from someone else. Much of what you will see and experience here is beyond your wildest imagination, thus confirming, once again, that,

[His voice changes then, becoming slower, more solemn, even deeper than usual.]

"There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy".

[His voice changes back.]

Ah, and I believe that your swords have joined my gun and clawed gauntlets.

[Video.]

[scientificflair]

[He takes in that proclamation in silence, though his hands shift a bit - propped up as he leans forward against the table, resting his chin idly across linked fingers.

He's still smirking a good amount himself.]

Oh, day and night, but this is wondrous strange -
And therefore, as a stranger, give it welcome.

Fair enough, I think.

video;

[puzzling]

[ Well, isn't this quite the surprise. The last time Layton has seen Descole in Johto has been more than a year ago, and even longer back home. To say the least, he's not very pleased to see him here. ]

It has been quite the while, Descole.

video;

[scientificflair]

[...oh. Well. Lovely. That's lovely!]

Layton.

[...also wait what no

no it

really hasn't, what are you even talking about. The entire Ambrosia fiasco was incredibly recent, so honestly...]

I wouldn't word it that way, myself - really, one might say it hasn't been nearly long enough.

[ video ]

[tumbled]

Hey, sorry to say but you're in Johto now. It's some kind of crazy other world that we've all been dragged to. It's unfortunate, but not the worst of places.

Ah...and sorry to say, but most of our possessions are taken upon arrival--including any and all weaponry. [ He gives a shrug and apologetic smile. ]

[ video ] - ...I am so sorry, RL kind of happened orz

[scientificflair]

[...well. That's new, isn't it.

He'll let you get that explanation out, Lando, and he won't interrupt; that smirk is still present when he replies, though his expression has tightened quite a bit.]

And do you have any idea how this may have happened?