A new adventure...

[bashou]

A. TURNTERRACE ROAD - CLOSED to buson

"I suppose we didn't need this." As they neared the entrance to Turnterrace Tunnel, Bashou folded the map of Ohritori Island. "You must have walked this route all the time when you worked on the farm...?"

He swung his rucksack around to the front of his body so that he could slip the map back into its pocket. His rucksack had some additions, most notably a length of neatly coiled rope and carabiner clips attached to the side. Bashou, too, was dressed differently. His clothes were more form-fitting, not the usual loose and flowy things he'd gotten used to wearing in Ultern. There was a climbing harness around his hips, and a helmet with an integrated torch on his head.

Would there be any climbing involved in this trip? Bashou didn't know for sure. As with all the Mystery Dungeons, it seemed that this one defied any attempts to map beyond its entrance. But he always liked to be prepared, and going into an unchartable cave system felt a lot more dangerous than the unchartable forest island they'd visited last time...


B. ROUTE 5 / CRABRAWLER COAST (BETWEEN PORT OPPORTUNE AND ADANOOK TOWN), CHURA ISLAND - *OPEN!*

[You may want to take care if you wander off the path. Bashou likes to train his Pokémon around here, often with the 'help' of a creepy-looking cloth mannequin for target practice. He's currently focusing on his newest Pokémon, Roselia. She's learning how to use Toxic Spikes! If anyone gets too close, they'll get a glare and a 'tsk'.]

"You nearly got a face full of poisonous thorns. I'm trying to save my Antidotes for real emergencies, so please be more careful next time."

Comments

[bashou]

Thank you. She's my first Grass type, so...a new experience for us both, I think.

[Bashou smiles and nods in agreement at Ken's comments about Buson. He's about to say that Ken surely has a way with words, too, even if it's not quite the same - otherwise he wouldn't be a radio host! But then, just as Bashou is about to speak...he sees that something seems to have distracted Ken...

At first, Bashou is baffled by Ken's sudden reaction. He's not used to being baffled, and that in itself annoys him for a second. This is what he gets for trying to talk to someone!? He starts to look around, hoping that someone else is passing by who might be able to help...but, unsurprisingly, there's nobody else in this random off-road spot.

Then he realises that Ken seems...unwell? Afraid? As far as Bashou knows, he hasn't done anything to cause that. He glances at his Roselia, but she's still hovering around like she was before.

The realisation makes him feel less annoyed and more sympathetic - but still baffled. Bashou gets afraid and zones out, too. He knows there doesn't have to be an external cause, beyond his own thoughts. Doesn't mean he knows how to help someone else in that situation, but he'll try! He keeps his distance, motioning for Roselia to do the same, and tries to speak gently.]

Ken...? Are you alright? Is there something I can do to help?

[kenfrompokemon]

[A split second after doing it, Ken realizes how weird he's acting, and blushes even harder, burying his face in his knees. He groans at Bashou's gentle offer of help, ashamed of himself.]

Sorry... I'm fine, I'm fine, I just... Ugh. [He sighs.] I wanted to be on my best behavior around you, since you're so important to Buson, and I'm just... really nervous about that? And here I am, screwing it all up.

[He gives a self-deprecating laugh, and raises his head up to smile awkwardly at Bashou. Man, Bashou must think he's a complete weirdo at this point. He's giving a terrible first impression. Why is it so much harder to talk to people outside of the radio?]

[bashou]

He said that...?

[Bashou isn't sure why he's sounding surprised. He knows that Buson cares about him, and Buson is the kind of guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. Why would he not tell people? But still, Bashou feels like he'll never be able to truly understand it.

He sighs and rubs his nose, wondering what to say or do next. Should he put away his Roselia, just in case she's contributing to Ken's nerves for some reason? Should he try to be reassuring? He could say there's no need to be nervous around him. Bashou has never said that to anyone before; usually he likes people to be a little bit wary, but...this doesn't feel very satisfying.]

Uh...you shouldn't...

[That's already sounding very non-convincing.]

Listen, Ken...I'm not sure what Buson said, but I'm sorry if it's made you feel nervous. Or if I've made you feel nervous. I realise that I'm not the most approachable person...

[Thank Ho-Oh for that, Bashou thinks to himself. Imagine all the trouble that must come with being approachable.]

...but you also don't need to worry. I know that Buson cares about you, too. I think he's just protective of m-...people he cares about. Whatever he said should be taken in that context. And I suppose I'm also trying to be on my best behaviour, if it's any consolation...

[kenfrompokemon]

[Bashou's words do reassure Ken. He knows Buson gets protective, has seen it himself, so it makes sense he might go a bit above and beyond what's necessary. But nore than that, Bashou's own nervousness reassures Ken that he's not alone in this. His body relaxes and he lets out a relieved laugh.]

I guess that means we're in the same boat, then!

[He gets up off the ground, dusts his pants off (so much sand, ugh...) and smiles at Bashou.]

It's not your fault at all! I'm not nervous because of you, it's all just me psyching myself out! I'm, uh, not as good at talking to people outside of the radio booth, so I've been making a lot of mistakes lately, and... Well, it's just been wearing on me!

[He rubs the back of his neck with an awkward laugh. The time he accidentally came across as a stalker when he just wanted to meet Gold, and then made Buson angry with how he handled that situation, is a pretty fresh wound in his mind right now. He didn't even understand he was doing anything wrong until both of them got mad at him, and it turned into a huge argument... Now he's too focused on not screwing things up so he'll never have a repeat of that again.

But it seems like that's not the right thing to do either...]

Anyway, I guess we should both just... try and take it easy! Act natural! ...Heh, easier said than done, right?

[Unsure what to do, Ken gives a little wave at Roselia, smiling. Pokemon are so much easier to talk to than people...]