[video]

[for_truth]

[A video post pops up on the network with a cellphone-y aspect ratio. The girl in charge of the camera has it way too close to her face before she pulls it back and starts talking at about a mile a minute.]

Heyyyy, it works! Good, I'm totally starving. Uh... I guess my info's still good cuz I got wi-fi, no problemo, but s'that really the date? I coulda sworn it was last year, like, 5 minutes ago. I was on a plane to Kalos and I walked outta the bathroom and now I'm here? Howzzat work, anyway? I mean, like, I'm stoked to be back and stuff but I tried FOREVER to get back last year'n I couldn't! It was the pits, and...

And I'm stuck. In a... I think it's a closet? Lotsa brooms. I dunno how I even got here but the door won't open and man, I was like 10 minutes away from my in-flight meal. I could eat, like... Somethin' that eats a lot. I hope I don't gotta sleep in here. I tried bustin' the door open but I don't wanna trash it cuz that's gotta be a detention or somethin'. Someone's gotta have a key. Right? ...Right?

Uh, thanks! If you see this and you can help a girl out! Umm... P.S., what's on the menu? If the cafeteria is still in the same place I'm there. Peace out!

Comments

[video]

[for_truth]

Baking... Uh... Wuzzat... OH!! You're the Pokemon trainer guy! Joe? John?

I guess it was a space-time whatchamacallit, 'cuz when I got here the clock on my C-Gear jumped forward, like, a year! Wasn't even supposed to be gone in the first place, y'know? I went out on my bike one time and then I got lost and then I was in Unova for a couple'a weeks. Why're you askin', does it happen a lot? I don't really remember hearin' about it last time.

[video]

[jonny_talbain]

Jon. That's right. I'm also the Martial Arts teacher, now.

I've heard stories about folk intending to leave for a short time and it becomes a longer stay away. And about folk meaning to travel one place or another but winding up here instead.

[He pauses, ears primed and listening for the noise of her knocking. Ah, there we go.]

Welcome back, either way.

[video]

[for_truth]

Thanks, dude! Good to see ya.

...Wait, did you say "martial arts?" Like, karate and stuff?

[jonny_talbain]

Aye. Well, I'm not so well versed in Karate as I am in Kung Fu. But I cover the basics of a range of Martial Arts and those who wish to get deeper into any particular style, I offer more in depth training.

[He can hear her knocking much more clearly now and he speeds up his steps. His video feed wobbles accordingly, found footage style.]

[for_truth]

[She stops.]

That. Is the coolest thing. I heard today.

...Aw, shoot! Sorry.

[Oops. Hilda starts knocking again.]

For real, though, that's totally awesome! Count me in.

[jonny_talbain]

Well, I'm glad to have impressed someone today. There's always room for one more in my class. It's summer break right now but if you'd like to do some catching up in the stadium, we can schedule something.

[for_truth]

YES...

I mean, uh, I can wait 'til summer's over if there's a class for... Like, beginners, but if there ain't I totally wanna take you up on that offer!

[jonny_talbain]

Well, I intend to start each semester with the basics either way. Considering the range of ability levels I've got to cater to, it isn't as though anyone really finds themselves out of their depth. At least, I'd like to think not.

[Hear that? It's the jangling of staff keys. Freeeedoooooom!]

There we go. Hopefully you've not starved to death?

[for_truth]

Ohhh, gotcha. Are there, like, any special exercises you gotta do or any...

[Wait, KEYS. SWEET FREEDOM...]

Not yet! Thanks! I owe you one, dude.

[jonny_talbain]

It's fine. I'm a member of staff, after all. Can hardly say I've earned my paycheck if I'm to leave students locked in storage.

[Though, there were a couple of students where that might be an improvement....]

Ah. Yes, special exercises. Several, actually. Drills, which are stretches, laps, push-ups, sit-ups, the same sorts of things you'd find in most standard PhysEd classes. Then we do what are called Taolu, or Kata. Chinese and Japanese words for, essentially, the same thing. Those are specific series of choreographed moves that help you with your form, coordination and balance. Plus, they tend to work fighting specific muscle groups that are underdeveloped during traditional exercise, like weight training.

[for_truth]

Uh...

[Hilda digs around in her bag for a crumpled piece of paper and a pencil, then scribbles something down on it ("SEARCH NET 4 TOWEL LU, KATA") and stuffs it into her pocket.]

Okay, got it down! Imma be SO ready for fall!

[jonny_talbain]

I've a required reading list I provide my class with. All books are available in the Library. I can drop a copy of it off to you, if you'd like to get ahead somewhat over the summer?

[Jon is a Nerd. He makes people read.]

[for_truth]

[Her face does fall a little at the idea of reading books over the summer, but since she's under the impression that this means she'll be able to chop cinder blocks in half someday, she's on board.]

Sure thing! Drop me a line and I'll hit the books.

[jonny_talbain]

Alright. I'll wait for your dorm to be assigned and I'll slip it under your door later in the week.

For now, I probably ought to let you re-acquaint yourself with the grounds and your peers.

[for_truth]

I appreciate it!

So, hey, how's the trainer thing goin' for ya? Earn any new badges?

[jonny_talbain]

We've four, now.

[He pulled the dog tags Riwane had given him for Christmas out from under his shirt. There were four of them, boulder badge, zephyr badge, hive badge and plain badge.]

My Charizard had these made for me so I'd not carry the actual badges around. I'd hate to lose them, after all.

[for_truth]

Congrats!

[She grins and claps Jon on the back, then marvels at his SWEET DOG TAGS.]

Whoa, those are totally sick, man -- I ain't ever thought of doin' something like that before! I always got mine on me, but I never thought about losing 'em... You and your Charizard are radical!

[jonny_talbain]

There's a place in town as can make them for you. I'll get the address from Riwane and add it to the other information I was going to give you.

....you should see the jacket she got me. I wore it all through winter, but it's a little too warm for jackets right now. She had a logo made and embroidered on the back. 'Team Talbain'.

[He's pretty much the proudest trainer.]

[for_truth]

Aww, man, that sounds awesome! Bummer I missed its first run but winter ain't too far away.

[Hilda's way happy for him and his Pokemon! It's really cool to her that people from all walks of life can forge such strong bonds with their Pokemon.]

[jonny_talbain]

We've a few months to go yet, but you'll get to see it eventually, I'm sure.

[He wasn't much for jackets really. He had a natural fur coat when he wanted one, after all! But still. He tended to show this one off.]

Speaking of Riwane, I'm not sure if you two ever met? I daresay you'd get along well.

[for_truth]

Naw, I don't think I met her yet. I totally wanna, though! Is she, uh... Like, does she take classes or is she a teacher too?

[jonny_talbain]

She's a student. She'll be a High School Senior this coming year. You can't miss her - big head of red hair kept in ponytails, wings and flaming tail, as you'd expect. Freckles. Usually has headphones on, listening to music entirely too loudly. If she doesn't hear you the first time you say Hello, just wave a hand in front of her face to get her attention. She'll not bite.

[for_truth]

Heh, gotcha. I'll keep an eye out for her!

I better get goin', though. I gotta find the Headmaster and, like... Hope I'm not expelled for accidentally playin' hooky or nothin'. I mean, I don't think he'd do that but I still prolly got some stuff to do. Thanks for the help, I'll see you around!

[jonny_talbain]

Alright. It was nice to catch up. If you've need of anything else, feel free to ask. And I'll get you that reading list and address sometime soon.

[for_truth]

Will do, dude. Don't lemme forget I owe you one!

[Hilda hurries off to get her stuff squared away.]