☮ 072; [text]

[vulpesvivus]

I need to find something to do with myself around here.

Maybe I could start traveling and collecting badges again, but...I don't know. It doesn't really seem worth it if I'm on my own. I could probably ask Heather, but I'd just end up getting in their way or somethi I don't really imagine anyone would want a mechanical engineer following them around, either.

...Does anyone else ever feel like they've just flat-out been here too long?

Comments

[islandshore]

Are you kidding? I might not know much about engineering, but it sounds like an impressive job, and I'm sure you could find something to do, if you haven't already.

[How's he to know? Riku's knowledge of mechanics... limited at best.

But that's not the only reason why this message caught his eye. Three years... that's about the same time he's been there. And while he's boasted about loving the snot outta this world, that feeling of running out of things to do resonates with him as well.

He's not even gonna touch upon the badge bit right now.]

But I know what you mean. It's easy to hit a brick wall, especially after three years. Seeing people come and go before you really get to know them... That's one of the biggest things I can think of.

[vulpesvivus]

There's only so much I can build using repurposed spare parts from Pokeballs and the rest of this world's technology.

[By normal standards, it was a lot. But coming from a world based on nanotechnology, Otacon had pretty high standards.]

I guess the old cliche is that 'it never gets any easier', but it really doesn't. Even expecting people to leave just makes it more difficult.

[islandshore]

True. But what kind of things have you built? Pokéballs are still pretty impressive compared to TVs and telephones.

[Then again, if this guy's been around for years, he probably has done all he could with the tech. The locals aren't very forthcoming with some of their devices.]

Man, expecting them to leave makes it even more daunting sometimes. I've seen people worry that the bonds they make here don't matter because they or their friends are bound to leave sometime.

Even with friends from home, it gets frustrating. Distractions and goals can go a long way to balance it out, but even then you run into a few problems.

You mentioned going after more badges, and I think that's a pretty good incentive to travel. But coming from someone who's done just that... Well, there are only so many gyms. Once you've been around the block, you're left right back where you started. Then you've gotta come up with some other goals, ones this world doesn't provide for you.

And that's the real challenge.

[vulpesvivus]

Nothing too important. I've been thinking about trying to replicate something I made back home, but it wouldn't have even half the specifications it did there.

I guess you're right. There's...what, sixteen now? With the level everyone's at I doubt that'd take long...so I guess I'm pretty much stuck before I even start.

[islandshore]

Okay, now you've got me curious. What kind of 'something' are we talking about here?

[Because whatever it is, it sounds mysterious and cool.]

Well, there's always the Elite challenges. Those make for tougher fights, and even levels won't always save you. That's where the leaders show their true colors and let out their big guns.

As for being stuck... I wonder. I've seen people around here find ways to get by. The people with careers that don't clash with the stupid laws probably have it easy. Singers can continue performing without a hitch. Artists? They can paint all they want.

I guess the 'easy' solution is to find something new. Or... maybe instead of focusing on the gyms, get out there and see the sights. Kanto's got some pretty cool locations. You ever visit the Power Plant?

[vulpesvivus]

A miniature wheeled robot. Back home it was equipped with stealth camouflage and a wire it could use to manipulate things, but here I'd just be happy if I could get it running.

I played the original games back when I was in college, but I haven't traveled there all that much. I did spend a while in Vermillion, at least.

[islandshore]

Camouflage? Dang, that really is impressive. Almost like something you'd see in a movie.

What kind of parts would you need to get it started?

And, right, the games... Those only covered Kanto, didn't they? Guess I can see how it wouldn't be as exciting if you already know what to expect.

[vulpesvivus]

More than this place's technology has, believe me. Don't get me wrong, this world is absurdly advanced; just not in the specific way mine is.

Actually, I'm really interested in exploring Kanto at some point. Even without the graphical limitations of that time, I doubt any game could match up to reality.

[islandshore]

So what kind of technology does your world have?

Gotta agree about games versus reality, though. Even the most high-tech game is still just a simulation. It'd be hard to squeeze in all the details, like restaurants and water parks. And speaking of parks, I think the one down in Cerulean should be opening sometime soon.

[vulpesvivus]

The majority of technical advancements where I come from has all been for the purpose of warfare. Camouflage that renders you invisible, giant bipedal robots, microscopic machines in your bloodstream that improve combat efficiency... Basically everything you'd probably never find here.

It would be pretty interesting to explore Kanto, at least. I can't say it would do a lot for the larger scale of py problem, but it'd be something to do.

[islandshore]

Yeah, the closest thing I can think of is Golurk, and even that's not the same as man-made machinery. But is war pretty common where you're from? If there's that much emphasis on weaponry and combat, it's gotta be pretty serious.

And I hear you. It's tricky coming up with long term solutions, and I wish I could come up with something more useful. It's a problem I've had myself, and I'm sure other oldbies have gone through it plenty of times.

Maybe we should just start a support group.

[That last bit was said jokingly, but hey... maybe it'd work.]

[vulpesvivus]

Basically, yeah. It's been a widespread thing for a long time now; the technology to develop nuclear-equipped bipedal robots has been around since at least the early to mid-70's, and it's 2014 back home.

At any rate, that would be a hell of a thing to run. Do we get a platinum membership card after three years or something?

[islandshore]

Sheesh. And if they existed more than forty years back, I bet the ones that exist now are at least ten times as lethal.

And seeing how we're like fossils compared to some of the people here, I'd say that's fair. And then you could slap on a name like "Oldbies Anonymous"... or maybe something a little more creative. Names are tricky.

[vulpesvivus]

Fossils? Ouch. If I didn't know better I might almost be offended.

[islandshore]

Hah. I wouldn't say something like that seriously, anyway. I'm only eighteen, and the 'grey' hair's all natural.

[vulpesvivus]

Mine's been gray since I was twenty-five, if it makes you feel any better.

[islandshore]

I'd ask if there's a story behind that, but I've already bombarded you with questions as it is. Hope it wasn't something like stress, though.

[vulpesvivus]

No idea, honestly. I wasn't half as stressed then as I was later on, so it's really anyone's guess.