122. [Video/Action for Mahogany]

[foolishwren]

_{[There's a split second shot of a cup of coffee and some blurry cherry pie before the view jerks upwards to settle on the filmer's face.]}

SO.

Let's talk Gym Leaders.

_{[Heather looks a little tired and haggard around the edges from her seat in an old-fashioned Mahogany diner booth, next to a Pikachu that's busily nibbling on a plate of shortbread biscuits, but not so much that it eats into her intensity on camera. THE TIME HAS COME TO SEEK WISDOM FROM THE MASSES.]}

I'm gonna be taking Pryce on soon, so if anyone's fought him before or knows anything juicy about his strategies, gimme the scoop. I already know about the ice-covered floor, but he looks like a sneaky motherfucker.

Anyone know if that old geezer's got any other tricks up his sleeve?

Comments

[video]

[solas_ion]

He's a clever bastard, alright. Don't go at him with only fire just because he obviously uses Ice-types. He'll level you with a bunch of water moves.

[Spoken with only the deepest admiration for being a sneaky little shit.]

[video]

[foolishwren]

Man, of course.

Good thing I wasn't planning on that...

_{[She didn't know his lineup, but she'd had a sneaking suspicion that it wouldn't be as easy as that to mow him down with a bunch of fire types.]}

I've got an Electric and a Fighting type who I've been training for the fight.

_{[She pauses to give the Pikachu a scratch behind the ears-- the electric mouse briefly tips her head back with an appreciative chaaaa!]}

Think those would work?

[video]

[solas_ion]

You'll probably be fine. I took my Hitmonchan and a pair of Fire-types. Punchin' got us a hell of a long way before the others had to step in.

[video]

[foolishwren]

_{[Her brows shoot up, interested.]}

Oh! A Hitmonchan, huh? Mine's a Hitmonchan, too!

_{[The picture blurs as she turns the 'Gear around to show the... creepy-looking, eyeless Fighting Pokemon sitting across from her on the other side of the booth. He's got what looks like a latte and some pie of his own, and he lifts a boxing glove to wave shyly to the camera.]}

So I should be good to go, right?

[video]

[solas_ion]

[Apparently, that was the cue for a boxing glove to shove Lancer's face halfway offscreen in favor of a curious punch machine. HELLO. HELLO I ALSO PUNCH THINGS.]

Wh--Ferdiad, what the hell, quit that!

[Cue incredibly mature shoving match between a grown-ass adult and his adorable sparring partner.]

[AHEM.]

Anyway. If yours's got somethin' like Thunder Punch, that'll definitely give you an edge over a couple of his Pokemon.

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

[!!!!!]

You're in Mahogany? Me too! I was gonna go challenge Pryce once we've settled in a bit. I was just going to use my strongest Pokémon and overpower him. Should I wear winter wear when I go into the gym?

[Video]

[foolishwren]

_{[As tired as Heather is, she musters a grin.]}

Whaaat, no way! We should get together for lunch or something, my treat.

And well, I haven't been in there myself, but my friend Envy says the guy's got ice all over the floor. So I'm guessing it's probably cold in there.

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

How about we make it a celebration lunch after we both wipe the floor with this guy?

[Because then they can both pay and go all out!]

Hmm... I need to buy more warm clothes anyways, so I don't mind a little cold.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Heck, sounds like a plan to me! I'll let you know when I go up against 'em.

I don't go shopping much these days, but fortunately there's plenty of places in this town where you can get stuff for the cold. Mountain cities like this are cool practically all year round.

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

Okay! I'll do the same~

I'm always looking for cute new clothes. Every city has such different fashion! It's like Japan!

[She nods and tilts her head.] You know, it might be a good idea to get more camping supplies. Do you have any recommendations for cold weather?

[Text]

[doesntdomuch]

My apologizes for responding to this since I don't have a strategy for being this "Pryce".

But ice covered floors? That doesn't sound safe.

[Text]

[foolishwren]

you heard me right.

have you fought any gym leaders yet? they almost always do some kinda ridiculous obstacle course shit for you to go through before you get to battle them.

Pryce is the ice leader, so I've heard that his floors are totally iced over

fun right?

[Text]

[doesntdomuch]

"Fun" is one way of putting it.

["Lawsuit City" is a better way in Perry's opinion, however.]

I haven't yet been to a gym yet however so I didn't know about this before.

Are the other gyms that... dangerous in their challenge?

[Text]

[foolishwren]

not all of em, no.

like, the gym in goldenrod is just a maze of flowerboxes and shit.

[Text]

[doesntdomuch]

That's good at least.

Has anyone heard of someone getting injured at Pryce's gym, by the way?

[He may or may not be wondering if he should try to report this or not.]

video

[islandshore]

Two words: Icy Wind.

[He takes a few seconds to let that sink in, because he personally thinks it speaks volumes... but he's also kind of a battling nerd.]

He likes to slow your team down, basically. And don't be surprised if he whips out moves like Earthquake or sets up a hailstorm. I'd bring a jacket, just in case.

video

[foolishwren]

Ugh, great.

Well, both Hazel and Val are pretty damn fast, so hopefully it won't be too bad...

Earthquake is worrying, though...

video - AGH, I knew I forgot something

[islandshore]

Hmm... Got anything that levitates? Ghost types, Hydreigon... I'd suggest a flying type, but unless you've got something that's part fire, that might not be the best idea.

[Type matchups are tricky, and without knowing Heather's full team, it's tough to make suggestions.]

THAT'S OK BRO

[foolishwren]

... Er... well, I've got a Gengar, but sending him out in an official League battle might as well just be kissing the badge goodbye.

I'd probably get arrested.

[islandshore]

...Oh brother.

[That would be Riku's hand slowly sliding down his face as he exhales a sigh.]

How bad are we talking? Pranks? Loud noise? Vandalism?

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

Hmm...watch out for hail. If he gets that going, don't waste a lot of time messing around. It can turn into more of a problem than you'd think.

[It had sure turned into a problem for him.]

How many badges do you have after him, again? Just Clair, right?

[video]

[foolishwren]

Yeah, just Claire.

... And then the rest of the ones in Kanto, I guess, but I'm not gonna worry about those just yet.

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy does a very good job of not looking kind of alarmed when she starts talking about going through the Kanto leaders, and covers up his relief with a laugh when she finishes the sentence.]

[Even if she can't come back yet, not with Wrath still in the basement...he doesn't want her to be away THAT long.]

Yeah, you'd be freezing your ass off on the road all winter if you tried that.

[video]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[LIKE HELL SHE WANTS TO BE AWAY THAT LONG.]

[She's already mildly stunned by how incredibly lonely it is to be on her own again. She's gotten so used to being surrounded by friends, and after Phoenix disappearing again... every moment spent away from 'home' feels like time lost.]</sub>

UGH, exactly.

Like, fuck, I don't care if I get on a roll, I'm not gonna spend Christmas in a tent somewhere, you know?

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

[He snorts.]

Yeah, of course not. We'd fly out and drag you back even if you tried.