FREE TO A GOOD HOME. if you're a gym leader.

[leaguechallenge]

[And suddenly THERE IS A FLURRY OF SNOW in the middle of the CMA.]

...Mom? Mom? [a sneeze.] Mom, please answer, if you’re there-

[Out of the snow comes a chilly-looking Red, who seems to have brought a bit of the mountain weather with him on his way in. He’s holding an arm in front of his face to block the snow from getting in his eyes, and

Comments

[drittegewurz]

[There is a person dressed for mild spring weather standing just behind you. He'll, uh, clear his throat to try and get your attention, since you just kind of appeared out of nowhere and it'd be kind of mean to leave a newbie alone.]

...Excuse me, sir?

[leaguechallenge]

[Red jumps a bit in surprise, turning around to see who's speaking to him. Did that man just call him 'sir?' Does he recognize him?]

...Um. Hi.

[drittegewurz]

[He is so used to people jumping when he talks to them he forgets to apologize.]

Pardon this Cress if he is mistaken, but would you happen to be new to the Island?

[leaguechallenge]

'Cress?'

[drittegewurz]

Yes, waiter and co-leader of Striaton's Pokemon gym.

[Didn't miss a beat, despite his question being ignored.]

[leaguechallenge]

...You're a Gym Leader?

[Good, it's someone he can trust. And - and it's a Gym Leader, so.]

S-Sorry. You said something about an island?

[drittegewurz]

Yes. [Of a town you've possibly never heard of before, but oh well.] You're on an Island now, if you were not yet aware.

[leaguechallenge]

How did I get on an island?

[drittegewurz]

It just seems to happen, unfortunately.

[INSERT SHORT ISLAND EXPLANATION HERE?]

[leaguechallenge]

[Red listens attentively, coughing every once in a while but trying to be quiet about it. The explanation seems a bit far-fetched, but Red is trusting by nature, and Cress is a Gym Leader...]

So there's no way to get home.

[drittegewurz]

[Which means that Red is also just believing that Cress is a Gym Leader without even seeing the guy's trainer card. Oh, well. It's not exactly misplaced trust, in this case.]

Afraid not. And excuse this Cress, but are you feeling alright?

[leaguechallenge]

[Yes. Yes he is believing it. But surely Cress would never lie to him - he's a Gym Leader after all.]

I'm - I'm fine.

[Aside from looking rather upset at this revelation. And having another fit of sneezing to boot.]

[drittegewurz]

[...alright, maybe that is putting a bit too much faith in.]

Is that so. [Well, he's not going to press. But here, have a handkerchief for those sniffles.] Apparently, nothing will change while you are gone. So please don't be too concerned.

[leaguechallenge]

[Surely nothing bad can come of this much blind trust, ever. Red takes the handkerchief, but freezes at Cress's words.]

Nothing will change?

[drittegewurz]

[...this poor kid is going to get in a lot of trouble on this island, isn't he.]

Time freezes at home, according to those who have been there and back.

[leaguechallenge]

[Now why ever would you think that, complete stranger that Red would trust with his life.]

So - so people have been back. [Hope!]