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.]

[It's probably been a while since the network heard from this guy. It's safe to say he's been preoccupied - between being lightly obsessed with Tetris, the Halloween possession thing happening (which actually affected him more than he cares to admit), the train hijacking and those three days ... he's had a lot to think about. And, in truth, still has.]

[But Christmas perked him up and with the new year just around the proverbial corner he's feeling like things just might get better, and you know what else never fails to lift his spirits?]

[Local wildlife.]

[That's right. So today the network is treated to a video of a group of trees. It's pretty early so the sunlight is warm and yellow and sparkles just so in the snow, and as the video sloooowly zooms in on one tree in particular ... you can see there's a Hoothoot snugly nestled in a hollow of the trunk, looking asleep and kind of ruffled up.]

[It's actually a very beautiful image, because Cooper has a tendency to catch them like that.]

[And then he zooms out. ...no, wait, he's zooming in again - a little closer this time, really focusing on that sleepy little owl. Despite his thing with birds, he can always appreciate them from a distance. And this little fellow is admittedly very cute.]

Look at that.

The spitting image of comfort. Right there.

[He sounds sort of breathless and utterly wistful, then zooms out again just for a pan of the scenery - snowy tree trunks and the little lake behind him. The water isn't all frozen yet so the sunlight gets to show off in the surface there, too, before Coop aims the gear back towards the bird and zooms in on it again.]

Almost makes you jealous, doesn't it?

[Action for anyone in Ecruteak! He's hanging out just on the edge of the forest, stalking the wildlife.]

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!]

[And today, Violet City! Violet City on a damn fine morning, no less. But more importantly, an Eevee. A very playful one by the looks of it, as she's sort of darting around when Coop's trying to film her.]

I found this girl today. I'm fairly certain she belonged to Dee - call it a hunch. Dee's gone, but knowing her she'll probably show up around these parts again sooner rather than later.

[He sounds quite cheerful, saying this. Like most others he knows that he knows her, so her being gone doesn't trouble him all that much. Besides, it's a beautiful day, and he'll happily focus on that and the other little things:]

I'm back in Violet. [Audibly breathes the whole thing in as he films the area - a bit on the town outskirts, near the trees.] Man, I missed this town. Am quite looking forward to the hike back to Azalea, but that might be a while. I've been thinking I should try the gym now that I'm here so wish me luck on that one. Which reminds me -

[Camera pans and behold, a Wooper, looking like the most timid thing on Earth Johto.]

I believe this one needs more attention and care than I am able to give her at present. I don't feel it's fair to keep her in the computer for longer periods of time, so if anyone would like to take her in, I'd appreciate it. Bear in mind that she doesn't like fighting.

[...she's not claimed and she's a Wooper and who wants a Wooper anyway, but if anyone WOULD want her it'll be discussed ICly and stuff (and on a bit of a first-come first-serve basis). If no one wants her he's probably going to set her free which would be a-okay. :Db]


[Action for anyone in Violet! Feel free to run into him anywhere. /o/]

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.

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.]

[A video this time? Remarkably enough, yes - because he's actually got something to show. The feed comes to life focusing on a Wooper looking up at the camera, tilting its head a little, looking generally cautious. It's dark out but you can still tell what you're looking at. Cooper's voice can be heard from behind the 'gear, sounding a bit far off.]

So, this would be a Wooper, am I correct? It's the first pokémon I caught since arriving here. I suppose I'm rather late in performing that act. [You can hear him smiling, saying this.]

[The camera shifts and gets closer to the ground, so you can assume he's crouching down. He holds out a hand to the Wooper - this you can see - and she shies away before slowly approaching again.]

She's shy. I must confess that I can't think of a good name for her. If anyone has a suggestion, I'd be happy to hear it.


[Action if anyone happens to be on Route 32 just a day from Violet. Cooper won't leave yet, but camping for one night outside of the city is a nice change and offers bonding time with that nocturnal owl he's in possession of. :D ALSO YES COOPER LOGS A LOT OTL. Anyone who's seen the show will understand. xDD]