Ohritori Vacation!

[kenfrompokemon]

[This morning, if you tune in to Ken's Pokemon Talk on the radio, you'll probably hear him announce the program will be on break for the next two weeks while he goes on vacation! And as soon as the program ends, he hops on a boat and is off to Ohritori Island.]

A. GATEWAY PORT

[You can see him arriving at Gateway Port in Turnbloom City, looking pale as he weakly hobbles off a boat and immediately falls onto his knees and hands on the pier, taking deep breaths and looking like he's been suffering from seasickness for the entire journey.]

It's finally over...! Ohritori Island, I'm so glad to see you...

B. POKEMON CENTER

[Once he's rested from his journey, he'll be sitting at the cafe in the Pokemon Center with an ice tea, glancing around somewhat restlessly. A green Ledyba is sitting at his table, eating Berry slices. Spotting you, Ken will smile and wave.

Excuse me, can I ask you a question?

C. ROUTE 1

[Later, Ken can be seen at Route 1 with his Cubburn. He'll find Professor Banyan's laboratory, he'll just wander near it for a while, glancing at the house sometimes like he's trying to gather the courage to approach. Eventually, he'll go up to the door, raise his hand to knock... then hesitates, lowering his hand again. His Cubburn looks up at him with a whine, and Ken sighs.]

I'll do it, just give me a moment...

D. WILDCARD

[Ken can also be seen wandering all around Ohritori Island during his vacation! He doesn't visit the more dangerous places deep in the caves or the forests, but he'll be checking out the tourist spots. Theater Hall, Stardust Beach, the different farms on Gilterrace Town, Route 2 and Route 3; and the Wildflower Cape. Meet him however you want! Also, feel free to recognize his voice from radio!]

Comments

[finally, useful advice without gross jokes!]

[buson]

[Oh, this earned a confident grin from Buson.]

Well... y'could have some tea, maybe with chinsuko, if you feel up for it.
D'ya like peppermint? That's good for motion sickness too. So's chocolate, the Ribombee Chocolate Cake's good!
Nuts help too, 'cause of the protein, so maybe a drink or cake with those...
Apple juice is also good... there's a bunch'a choices.

[kenfrompokemon]

Peppermint tea would be good, if they have it iced... But I feel like if I try to eat chocolate cake right now I'll just end up nauseous. Chinsuko's all right, though, I could eat some... Maybe something salty? Do they have salted peanuts? ...Should I even eat something salty right now?

[He's kind of craving it, but Buson's the expert, apparently!]

[buson]

Hmm, not sure about iced peppermint tea, but maybe they could make it for you if you asked?

Salty's good, actually, so long as you drink somethin' too! See, it's the same when you lose a lotta water, like after gettin' sick an' dehydrated, or workin' out, you gotta replace fluid and electrolytes&—an IV drip, those energy drinks, or even plain ol' soda, they're all basically the same thing. [This may be a dubious over-generalization.] Water, salt, sugar.

... except maybe let the fizz out first. That's not gonna help.

[kenfrompokemon]

Wow, you know a lot about this, Buson! That's amazing. You could be a... what's it called, nutrition expert or something?

So, I'm thinking iced tea, peppermint or not, and some salted peanuts if they have any... Or a sandwich, if they don't.

[buson]

Haha, ya think so? Diet's pretty important for buildin' muscle!

Sounds good! I'll have water and a club sandwich, myself.

[He actually does have a Pippi account where he mostly collects and shares nutrition and fitness posts oooor gets into stupid arguments just to rile people up for fun. No name he goes by is attached to the account, though, although a picture of his abs is, but he figured that isn't identifiable to any normal person likely to be taken seriously.

So he's keeping it secret!!]

[kenfrompokemon]

Oh, makes sense! I only really pay attention to what food tastes like. Still, it's impressive!

[Ken's got a very inactive Pippi account himself, only used for work! Since he doesn't have a smartphone he's not very into social media in general.]

[buson]

Thanks! Well, taste's important too!

I eat some stuff I just like, too...

[Sounds like Bashou. He's got a work-only (silverdev) one which he used to get his resume out there and another very anonymous one which he tends to troll with or gripe about things once in a blue moon.

In they'll go and order their meals! It'd be hilarious if Buson's paper-thin "disguise" is ignored and he's addressed by name. Or even by another pseudonym.]

[kenfrompokemon]

Taste is important. [Nods sagely.] And I like vegetables so I probably eat pretty healthy!

[Buson totally got recognized and called by a pseudonym. Ken notices, but doesn't mention it until they get to the table.]

Huh. I think you introduced your other name when we met, but I totally forgot about it.

[buson]

["Attila," he expected, but "Akira"? He's stunnned! It took him a moment to even state his order, which he did with a slightly awkward smile. Well, he'd made the decision not to hide being the same person if asked, but... he didn't expect it to be that obvious, that's all.

He could tell people thought he was still a criminal (he could hear those two boys, thank you, back when they both worked here!), but Akira was still recognizably him too?]

Damn. I suck at this. [Well, fortunately, they don't send Buson for jobs that rely on subtlety as much as intimidation.]

... ah, yeah.

[They sound stupidly similar, don't they? Buson threw his hands up in a display of giving up, shaded his eyes (there are faint dark circles underneath both) with a hand while swapping the star-shaped sunglasses with his usual pair.]

Attila and Buson are what I usually go by, yeah. Went by Akira for a little bit when I was trying to lie low. Apparently, even a kimono and straw hat didn't really throw 'em off. [Tugging at locks of his hair, vaguely wondering if dying it would make him harder to identify.]

Well. It's not like I'm doin' anything wrong and I don't mind admitting to bein' the same person. [He's only got one crime on his record here! ... okay, two if you count the attempted poaching thing. Maybe three. Attempted poaching, resisting arrest, aggravated assault on an officer...]

[kenfrompokemon]

Wait, were you trying to hide your identity? That's what the star sunglasses were for?

[Ken's surprised! It never even crossed his mind that a different pair of shades could be called a disguise. ...But he's not going to say that out loud.]

Oh, so it was Attila... When I heard "Akira" I just assumed that's what you said back then. Is that a fake name?

[So which name is Buson's real name, then? Or are they all fake? ...Ken decides to not bring that up. He's learned his lesson about asking questions he might not want the answer to.]

Yeah, it seems to me that people like you around here! [Though Ken's only seen Buson interact with the people in this cafe. He'll assume it's the same way everywhere!]

[buson]

[Well, he wasn't a sailor before Chura, so he figured he'd be unrecognizable in a sailor suit and a different pair of sunglasses! Maybe! ... okay, so. Yeah, it's stupid.

At being asked what his real name was, he didn't answer, although he gave Ken a kind of apologetic smile. No go, Ken. Sorry. He's not answering that question.]

Eh, my cover's already blown, so I don't put that much effort into it.

[A couple of people here know he's a Rocket. He'll just hide his face if a cop comes sidling in or something.]

Yeah, well, I didn't hurt anybody, so people ain't too scared'a me.

[Well, that's not entirely true, he hurt an officer, unintentionally, really, while trying to escape, but that hardly counts as a real person to a criminal.]

I guess being kinda obvious helped... in a weird sorta way. It's like that even for folks who got into way more trouble than I did, though! [Ulternians are perhaps a bit too nice, but maybe the steady flow of drifted folks makes it more natural to be so!]

[kenfrompokemon]

[Yeah, Ken probably shouldn't have expected an answer to that, either. He'll just let that drop!]

Right, I guess that makes sense. [So it was a bad disguise on purpose! That explains it. Buson's too smart to believe that'd work.]

[Ken completely believes Buson didn't hurt anybody, so he just nods with a smile.]

Yeah, people in Ultern are pretty chill about everything... I guess after so much drifts here they have to take it all in stride. I've only been here for a year, so I'm not all that used to it yet, but after some time taking calls for the radio I feel like I'm getting there! [He gives a little laugh.]

[buson]

[Yes, even just telling him whether any of the names are fake or real is veering into territory Ken should keep out of. Dropping the subject's appreciated!]

Yeah, I figured if I went too far out of the way to disguise myself, it wouldn't work. Like, I know I look nothin' like the locals, so I can't pass for one of 'em. So I stood out on purpose. Besides, if I'm dressed pretty casually, like I got nothin' to hide, I'll draw less attention, see?

[Tips if you're ever on the run, I guess.

If they're looking for a Rocket with his description, they'd probably be thinking of someone trying purposefully to hide himself, not... the guy in novelty sunglasses and bright and colourful kariyushi leisurely enjoying a snack at the cafe or whatever.]

... or they'll get distracted by what I'm wearin' instead'a how I look.

[... hence the silly sunglasses, but also, because he wanted to see some smiles, okay? But that's a secret.]

[kenfrompokemon]

Huh... Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

[Nodding along!]

Solid advice! I don't think I'm gonna need it, but I'll keep in mind to buy a pair of silly sunglasses if I ever do!

[And that's about when their orders arrive! Ken gets his iced tea, a sandwich, and a bag of salted peanuts! which the latest temporary worker at the cafe might've just ran over to buy from the nearest convenience store because the cafe doesn't actually sell them but they wanted to be welcoming to the new customer ^^;]

[buson]

[That's so sweet. Hats off to you, new temp!

Buson took a sip of water, then started wolfing down his sandwiches like he's starving, every now and then eyeing Ken's iced tea.]

... that good?

[Might be a tiny bit of a glutton.]

[kenfrompokemon]

[Ken's taking it slow, nibbling on the peanuts, sipping tea, and making sure he can hold food down before he starts on his sandwich.]

Yeah, it's good. Maybe you should've ordered it too?

[He's teasing.]

[drat, Ken's not as indulging, PFFT]

[buson]

[Buson genuinely pouted. He slumped on the tabletop, sulkily. He's being a big baby!]

He would'a shared with me. [It's definitely whiny, but lighthearted.]

Well. Maybe not share a drink, but... he might'a gotten me one extra.

[He called over a waiter for a drink like Ken's.]

[kenfrompokemon]

[Honestly, Ken might've bought Buson an extra if he'd asked before ordering it himself.]

Sorry man, not into indirect kisses.

[Ken says that off-handedly, then sips his drink, and then it occurs to him that maybe that joke's crossing a line? ...Maybe if he just continues casually eating and drinking it'll be fine.]

Who's he anyway, Bashou?

[If there's a reason Buson's not saying the name out loud, it flies above Ken's head.]

[buson]

[Yeah, he should've seen that one coming and before Buson had the chance to loudly protest or even just poke fun at Ken for sounding like some schoolgirl for thinking of it that way, Ken mentioned Bashou's name and that.
That received a very sharp glare.]

... they know who I am, they don't know him.

[But, Bashou had said he didn't care... not here, where the codename and Team Rocket weren't known... Buson was just too protective of anything relating to his partner. The cutting look wavered, then, he looked apologetic.]

... sorry.

I just don't want him in any trouble when only I deserve to be in any, here. Nobody knows what he is, here.

[kenfrompokemon]

[Oof, that's a sharp glare. Ken blinks in surprise, leaning back a little, but relaxes when Buson apologizes.

But that soon gives way to slight annoyance over the needless glare.]

I didn't know, alright? Could you not assume I know who you're talking about and what you're thinking without you telling me? Maybe he can do it, but I'm not him.

[Earlier, Ken didn't mind Buson complaining about how he's not like Bashou, but now it's struck a nerve.]

[buson]

[Buson blinked, surprised, but also a little glad to see Ken defend himself.]

I… had been doing that, hadn’t I?

You’re right. I’m sorry.

[kenfrompokemon]

[Ken doesn't stay mad for long, but he pouts for show, before nodding.]

Apology accepted. Just don't do that again. It's rude to him too to treat other people like they're replacements for him!

1/2

[buson]

[He nodded, taking it very seriously.]

... I know what you mean. No one else could replace him.

Finding out the differences is actually really interesting and... you're right, it ain't far to anybody. People're different and should be appreciated for themselves.

[He's quiet a moment, thinking of the fact that he now knows two similar, but increasingly different iterations of Bashou, too.]

... what I said earlier, I was just foolin' around, but maybe it didn't land that way. [Bashou would usually share, but that's also because he expects Buson to wind up having more of an appetite for others' food in addition to his own, but he's not trying to impose on Ken.]

... expecting other folks to get me like he does, though, that wasn't intentional. I just spend a lot more time with him, that's all, so I guess sometimes, I take that kinda communication for granted. It wasn't intentional, but I still messed up, so I'm sorry.

2/2

[buson]

[It's all very serious and he doesn't like it, so he'll try to tack something on to lighten the mood a little!]

... so, do you have a plan for where you'll go after this? Which places to check first?

[kenfrompokemon]

[Ken listens seriously to Buson's introspection, and wonders if maybe he himself should pay more attention to it, once he meets Gold. It might be just as easy for him to accidentally expect his alternate brother to act like his actual brother... He has to take that to heart.]

...Yeah, I get it. It's probably hard to... switch gears, I guess.

But seriously though, if you're going to talk about him in a place where you don't want to say his name, can't you come up with a codename? It's awkward to just say "him."

[Also lightening the mood!]

I'll probably ask around here first, and then I'll check out Professor Banyan's lab. If Gold's not there, then at least I might get to meet the Professor! [He grins. He's been hoping to get that opportunity!]