( too many birds in my confusion now. )

[Action for Justice Farm: When he wakes up the day he'd normally have been (mostly) mind-wiped, he's still exhausted. Most days will find him in the kitchen with his hands around a coffee cup and none of the usual enthusiasm for the beverage inside, staring distantly out the window with the look of someone who hasn't slept at all. It's a change from his usual demeanor, but whatever is going on in his mind, he doesn't seem all that inclined to share.]

[Audio, for the network, backdated to the 29th:] I'll keep it brief: who else can recall this weekend with a lot more clarity than the previous ones of its kind?

[Action for Saffron: He's around, so feel free to bump into him. He's been on quite a few walks lately. Walks are good.]


(KIND OF BACKDATED and spans all days from 4th wall end til like yesterday, so feel free to bump in with whatever, whenever!)

[There's been a lot of stuff going on on Coop's end lately. Between fighting sudden fire mutations, two of his coworkers arriving, having very interesting dates and other shenanigans going on, he hasn't felt the need nor exactly had the time to adress the network.]

[Today is different.]

[Today is a very important day with a very important topic.]

Evening, network! I have a proposition to make.

[Wait for it ...]

While there is no shortage of action in both regions, especially as of late, [you Rockets been busy, haven't you,] I still find that I have a preference to the kind offered by puzzle games. And to my knowledge I'm not the only one.

So how about some friendly competition? I'd love a Tetris score to beat other than my own.

[YEP. He's still playing. It's been a year since he last mentioned it and since then, what with all the game recommendations, he's been slowly going through most games the apps have to offer. And gotten mildly addicted to almost all of them. But Tetris is still his one true love. Tetris and Minesweeper.]

I'm thinking an all-encompassing high score table. I'll keep it updated for as long as there's interest. Any takers?

[Dork.]


[Also action for anyone in Goldenrod - he'll be easily found along the streets, hanging out with some of his pokémon, window shopping or  messing with his gear some. It's a nice quiet day and he's happy to just soak in that for a while.]

Audio, private to Heather: I'm in town. Do you have time to meet?

Diane ... fever still high.

[Oh hi there Coop - been pretty quiet on the network lately, haven't you? And go figure that this time, it's a mistake to adress it anyway. But he's feverish enough not to question the fact that he's speaking into his Gear, not his usual audio recorder. He sounds tired and weak and somewhat scratchy, and like he has minor trouble articulating the words.]

Persistant pain and soreness in my back and ... [Lengthy, troubled pause.] ... I have to say, Diane, whatever these things are, they're causing me a lot of trouble.

Skin still turning rusty, although thankfully not in a literal sense. The patterns are similar to Lichtenberg figures, but I can't ...

[Trails off. Sighs.]

I find it difficult to think like this, much less speculate. Buddha once said that the mind can't be strong and clear if the body isn't kept in good health, but this is an illness I don't know how to fight.

I believe perhaps some air would do me good.


[ACTION for Ecruteak; He's out in the rain. For once, he's dressed very casually - t-shirt and jeans, actually - but that's not the most eye-catching thing right now. Like many others, he's got Symptoms. And his are of the Level 5 Fire variety. Skin is a mottled brown-red hue down his back and shoulders and upper arms, that are also lined with darker, feathery lines. Entei's influence is clear in the broken mask on his face and spikes down his back. He's not particularly happy ... but at least he's not the only one looking abnormal.]

[There's a sound a bit like static, then some rustling and clicking. Following that, a trill, a whistle, and something Talking Bird Julee feels she obviously has to share with the world:]

Diane. Diane.

[A few more clicks - probably from her beak. She has a pretty light voice, but she goes darker for the next line.]

Holy smokes.

[And then she'll just be whistling the tune to I've Told Ev'ry Little Star for a while. Who knows where Cooper is - probably off getting a caffeine fix or something.]


(backdated to April 19th!)

[AUDIO - and this isn't Cooper speaking. It's a strange, stilted voice you don't recognise.]

You are heere an thereis no place to g o ... BUT HOME!!

[After that, have some laughter. Again, not Cooper.]

[ACTION ANYWHERE: A lot of you know Cooper, but none of you know exactly how bizarre his life actually is. If you run into him today - anywhere, because any one step in a 4th wall is a treacherous one - you might find him accompanied by a Little Man, clad entirely in red, with secretive eyes. He carries a ring. Coop looks ... troubled.]

[You might find yourself in a Red Room, actually. With the Little Man, the Ring, and perhaps other things. Cooper may or may not be there.]

[Or that might not happen at all. In which case just feel free to bother Coop with having your true form/powers back/your very presence. Nevermind the Little Man, he has no business with you.]

(ooc: might do some tagging with reddrapes! the Red Room is basically a place that screws with your mind, so if you want me to mess with your characters just let me know. COME AT ME BROS)

Does anyone else play Tetris?

_{[Guess who finally discovered the game apps on his 'gear! And guess who's been playing the games ever since! Spoiler: this guy. Cooper sounds pretty excited, actually, in that almost kid-like way that the ones who know him will probably recognise. He speaks fast and chipper.]}

Damn good game. Very engaging, very challenging. I've yet to get past the 100 lines mark, but I'd very much like to believe I'm getting there.

_{[Beat. You know, sometimes he really doesn't want to be here, but this games-in-the-gears-thing certainly picked him up.]}

Falling puzzle pieces _[:D] ... that Minesweeper game isn't half bad, either. And if I've got my facts right there are more games available for purchase at the PokéMarts. So, Network: any recommendations?

_{[You should be able to HEAR the grin in his voice, seriously.]} Nothing like a good game to keep you occupied.


_[Action _{for anyone in Ecruteak! You're likely to find him somewhere in the middle of town on a park bench or something, cross-legged with an Eevee asleep in his lap, playing Tetris on his 'gear like a boss.]}

( Diane ... )

[Private audio to France:] France, it's Cooper. Are you still in Ecruteak?
_{[He sounds sort of tired, but otherwise carefully neutral.]}

[Action:] _{[You can run into him anywhere in Ecruteak, where he'll be spending time walking practically every street, looking a little closed off. Unless you find him by night - he'll be near the lake, looking at the half moon.]}

[Audio, broadcasted to the network; nighttime:] All things considered, it wasn't too long ago people believed you would go crazy if the moon shone on you while you slept.
<sub>[Enjoy that little bit of information, Johto.]



(ooc: BACKDATED to thursday the 18th.)</sub>

I imagine quite a number of you are taking the gym challenge, but I'm curious as to what reason. Boredom? Some kind of obligation? That it just might lead to a way home?

I'm not sure. Either way I recently earned my second badge and expect to head back to Goldenrod in the near future. [A small pause here and his voice takes on a wistful little note.] Am quite excited to return to Ilex Forest. I believe it will be a beautiful sight and an invigorating hike.

[Click! Both badges are obviously mod-approved. And action for anyone in Azalea - if you find him, he's hanging from a tree by his knees, kid-style, browsing his pokégear while doing so and ... looking quite comfortable. Any gear-replies will be done in this fashion, too. Have fun with that!]

It's been a week since the collective memory loss. And,that said, six months since the last time we found ourselves in a near-identical situation.

That does raise the question of whether this will happen again another six months from now. But I guess until then we'll have plenty of time to figure out what happened May 28 through to May 30. I am assuming that something did. As I imagine most of you are.

[If anyone missed Coop's business-voice, it's back! He speaks fairly quickly, as per usual, but stops there to think for a moment. He breathes out slowly before changing to video, showing a Solrock hovering some distance away.]


On a different note, it looks like I've found an addition to my team. Well, more accurately, it found me. A remarkable pokémon, isn't it? A rock with psychic powers ...

[There's genuine wonder in his tone before he trails off. Yeah, he's just a touch distant. As he then clears his throat lightly, he's back in serious mode.]

Some of you might recognise it as Princess Celestia's. [A small beat, and his voice softens:] Looks like our pony population is dwindling.


[Action for Violet! Feel free to run into him anywhere, as per usual. He's about. Tags will be later though - awkward time zone person has to sleep. <3]

[AUDIO]: Is this turning into a regular event? I'm not sure I consider myself a fan.

[Or, in other words, guess who remembers the last 4th wall! Words are spoken in a sort of tense harsh tone, because he doesn't really like this whole thing. Obviously.]


[ACTION]: Feel free to run into him absolutely anywhere between Olivine and New Bark, as he's experimenting with the suddenly very easy distances. He'll probably be fiddling with a ring on his left little finger and looking a little stressed. (There are, once again, birds everywhere.  Poor guy.)

[So, Johto. Haven’t heard things from Coop’s end for a while now, have you? Well, nothing outrageous has happened to him (that he wants to talk about, anyway), and he hasn’t had anything interesting to tell or show you guys (the trees in Goldenrod are clearly inferior to those in Ilex, pfff), but here he is again, with an inquiry which might make you recall the one from two months ago. Brought to you in the business-like voice you all know (and love?).]

I’d like to know what you were doing prior to your arrival here. And I’m not talking about occupations or roles in society but the more immediate moments leading up to finding yourself in this world. The replies I received to my last question to the network indicates that our starters are somehow significant and perhaps more information can be gathered about our current situation from the circumstances we were in before being brought here.

[Again – he’s investigating.]

[And that sounds like it might be all, but wait! There’s more.]

Oh, and I almost forgot. If anyone in or near Goldenrod comes across a Manectric that answers to Tricia, she belongs to me. While she has been excited about the rain I did not imagine she would be resourceful enough to find a way to escape my hotel room in order to be out in it. But that only goes to show that you should always double-check your windows if you prefer to keep your pokémon outside of their pokéballs.

[YEAH, his Manectric somehow got out through a window. (Spoiler: Coop's Vulpix is some kind of hyper-intelligent prodigy and opened it.) A good thing Coop’s floor isn’t very high up and that the Manectric has more lives than she has the right to have, considering she’s not, in fact, a cat with nine ones to spare. Feel free to find/have spotted her and tell Coop about it! (several of you can, I'm not very picky about suchthings.)]

[If anyone wants Action, he’s hanging around the Goldenrod hotel lobby with a cup of coffee and a bunch of papers.]

I've been thinking about the significance of our first pokémon. I find it hard to believe the species given to us are random.

[A brief pause. He's been bothered by this ever since his arrival, actually.]

The initial reaction on meeting your first is important, whether it was fear, familiarity, anger, amusement, or the more unlikely indifference. Then there is of course the more pressing question: why were we given these particular ones?

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

[He's investigating again. Action for anyone in Azalea - he'll most likely be hanging around the pokémon center, working there and all.]

Concluded getting lost in a cave to be an all around interesting but undesirable experience. Believe I could use some coffee and a good night's sleep.

Are there always trainers in this Union Cave? Those I've encountered never appeared to want to leave.

[Guess who made it to Azalea? Action if you feel like running into him on the streets or at the inn/center.]

I was planning to start this year on foot. While Violet has been kind to me, I'm sure Johto has a lot more for me to see.

However, I've been stalled by the appearance of a Xatu. I know she answers to Misty, but I never got the name of her owner when I met her. If anyone has any information about where to find this girl so I can return her bird, I'd be very grateful.

[Or, you know, in other words, "I already have one huge staring bird too many". He's walking the streets of Violet rather aimlessly (accompanied by a very elated Electrike), so if you want action feel free to run into him, as per usual.]

Oh, and I almost forgot - happy new year. Let's make it one.

Merry Christmas, everyone. I must confess I hadn't expected any gifts at all, but I'm very grateful for the ones I recieved.

[He does sound a bit amazed, really, but at the same time very happy.] Neither of you had to. I hope I can get each of you something in return soon.

On that note, it appears that most if not all of us have been given pokémon eggs. I never did believe in Santa or an entity such as him, but I suppose unless no one steps forward to claim responsibility for this, now might be a good time to start.

[And on that note, that feed ends. Anyone interested in action will find him anywhere in Violet today, enjoying ... life, as it is. And also trying to find gifts, which I will update with later! Anyone who gave him something will get something in return. ♥ ]

Diane - it's a beautiful day.

[That's all the network gets (by accident, no less). Those in Violet will probably spot him walking along the streets, looking generally cheerful, and even occasionally whistling. He's been feeling rather troubled lately, but the snow definitely picked him up.]

(Action for anyone in Violet /o/)

I couldn't help but notice how so far, new arrivals have a tendency to come here on Sundays. I wonder if anyone who's been here longer than me can tell me if this has always been the case? Though a seemingly small detail, it's probably significant in some manner. And after all, it's the small details that bear watching.

[If anyone wants action, he's at the outskirts of Violet, filling Diane in on his latest thoughts and observations. Who is Diane? No one knows. He talks to her anyway, using his gear as a substitute for his lost tape recorder.]

I take it what just happened wasn't a normal occurence. I'm certainly glad things seem to be back to normal. Does anyone have any information about it? I'd like to attempt to understand all this, if possible.

[OOC: Action for anyone in Violet! He's on his way to the pokémon center at the moment, speaking frantically to the gear without broadcasting, updating a certain Diane about this freaking event.]

I made it to Cherrygrove yesterday, and I think I'll be quite content to stay here for a while. Since you've all been very helpful so far, I hope you'll take the time to answer this question, as well - where does one find a good cup of coffee around here? I'd really appreciate some cherry pie as well, but I'm going to assume that cherries are unheard of in this place. I certainly hope coffee is something attainable, though. At the very least, something that is similar to it.


[OOC: Action for anyone in Cherrygrove! He's hanging around sort of without purpose outside the pokémon center at the moment, looking at the sky with a frown.]

[Audio. He speaks fairly quickly.] Diane – 11.18 am. I seem to have lost my microcasette recorder. I've obtained a strange, futuristic-looking device with an audio function instead. Though I realize the chances of this reaching you are quite slim, there's still a comfort in adressing this to you. [A brief pause.] I appear to be in a different plane of existence – another world, if you will. I certainly hope this alternate universe has nothing to do with the Black Lodge, but I feel confident that it’s something different entirely. You could call it intuition. I feel slightly troubled by the owl that's following me-

[As if on cue, you hear a bit of rustling, followed by a quiet 'hoot'.]

- it doesn't look like any kind of owl I know of, but can hardly be classified as anything else. It seems to be of gentle nature, but I can't help but think of what the Giant told me. "The owls are not what they seem"...

[He goes quiet for a while. After a couple of seconds you can hear how he takes a steps, and then a short breath before he starts speaking again.]

Diane, the town I’m in appears to be called New Bark, if the signpost to my left is any indication. I will proceed to ask the locals about the situation. Once I’ve managed to shed some light on this, I’ll update you with any information I’ve obtained.

[Click. Looks like someone didn't realize he was broadcasting this~]
________________________

[OOC: Action for anyone in New Bark. Basically you'll find a somewhat confused-looking man with a suit and a coat trying to understand what this whole thing is.]