as ATP is this weekend!

[these_balls]

TEST DRIVE MEME


➞ Post with a character you wish to test drive in this game's setting.
➞ Tag other people's starters and thread out shenanigans!
➞ Invite your friends! Try out new characters! Come play with us!
➞ Have fun!


NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN YOUR TEST-DRIVE JOURNEY?
CHECK OUT ALL THE LOCATIONS WE HAVE AVAILABLE IN:

JOHTO | and | KANTO

✭ ✭ ✭


As usual, we've created a Google Doc so you can submit your wanted characters for a big Route game ad on this month's ATP!
FIND IT HERE
CUTOFF FOR ADDING CHARACTER WANT ADS TO THE GDOC IS:
6:30 PM, EST, ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 30!

Comments

[pinevestigator]

[...]

Doesn't really matter if I'm about to leave anyway...

[There's a soft click-click-click across the cobblestones as the Deerling walks back over to Dipper's side, not shoving at him any longer but staring down at the trainer he's talking to.

And hopefully that's enough of a distraction for him to get a quick peek at his map-]

Olivine! Olivine. ...and now we're headed....somewhere else.

[shark_pup]

Oh yeah, I forgot those things have maps!

[He swims closer, and finally hauls himself out of the sea, padding over curiously. He's in swim jammers- considering the extra clothing was of course the Swimmer trainer class gear, which was very convenient for him.

Totodile stays in the water.]

There's only so many places you can go from here... unless you swim.

[pinevestigator]

[Dipper puts his Gear in the pocket of his vest, opening his mouth to continue when what Rin says catches him off guard.]

...Swim?

...don't tell me you swim...everywhere.

[His voice drops a bit on the last word as he spots the Totodile floating in the water not far away. Figures that he'd get one that likes the water, if what he says is true.

Also, it's likely that he doesn't swim everywhere- not really- because how on earth would that be more convenient? Or easier?

And he's not really going to be hitching a ride on his deer through the ocean any time soon.]

[shark_pup]

Whoa, no way! Swimming alone in the open ocean is dangerous...

[He looks out at the ocean and something... sad... crosses his face, but is gone just as fast.]

But I've seen people ride swimming pokemon! Totodile is too small though.

[pinevestigator]

....Could you just...find something bigger?

[He's not sure why he's still here, but...well he doesn't actually know where to go, so stalling seems like as good of an idea as anything else.]

I mean, there's gotta be something else around.

[shark_pup]

Like a boat? I guess, but I dunno how far out I could go without like, a sailor or something. I'm not too worried about it, he'll get big enough eventually. 'Till then we can keep training.

...I doubt your deer would float though, so you'll have to walk.

[pinevestigator]

[...Deer can swim, can't they? Not like he's going to even attempt it, but.]

I'm okay with that. Even if I did have something that could swim, Iiii....think I'll just stick to the ground.

[If he's being honest with himself, he'd probably find Mabel near the water if she was here in Olivine. Thankfully, Rin isn't a mermaid at least.]

[shark_pup]

Ha? Scared?

That's okay though, there's lots of places to see here on land too. I've only been here a few days, but I've got a pretty good idea of this area already.

[Don't ask how he's in Olivine this early. Test drive magics]

[pinevestigator]

[He got here at the speed of VIOLENT SWIMMING.]

No, I just don't want to get on the water when I don't even know where I'm going yet.

[His Deerling lets out a small chirp of agreement.]

[shark_pup]

I think you're scared. Or can't swim. I mean, it's not like I'm saying swim the whole route or something. The pokemon don't bother you as long as you have one with you to scare them off.

[He laces his hands behind his head, cocking it and grinning]

What's the big hurry?

[pinevestigator]

[Dude if you're hankering for a swimming race or something you're looking at the wrong kid.

Dipper frowns, folding his arms as he shares a brief glance with his Deerling. Don't look at her, she can't swim.]

I'm looking for my sister, Mabel. Have you seen anyone who looks like me around here? ...I mean, kindof. We're twins.

She's probably in a pink sweater and might have a pig with her.

[shark_pup]

Sister?

[He frowns in concern]

No... sorry. Have you asked people on the gear thing?

[pinevestigator]

Yeah. Nobody seems to have seen her.

[He looks away, putting his hands in the pockets of his vest.]

I know she's here though, somewhere. I just need to find her.

[shark_pup]

Hmmm...

Well, I think most people show up here in New Bark Town, so that's the best place to start looking.

Let's go, just let me get my bag. [Cuz traveling in jammers is SILLY, right?]

[pinevestigator]

..."Let's"?

[Dipper echoes as he takes off his hat briefly to brush down his hair.]

You want to come with me?

[shark_pup]

[Rin comes back with his bag, Totodile waddling after. He yanks out a hoddie and pulls it on, not bothering with shoes or real pants]

Sure! I mean, I have a little sister so I know how that is. I'm not doing anything right now anyways.

Oh! I'm Rin Matsuoka, by the way! It's a girl name but I'm definitely a boy. What about you?

[pinevestigator]

["It's a girl name but I'm definitely a boy."

Dipper raises a brow at that, but before he can say anything else, his Deerling nudges him again. Let him come. It's not like you know where to go, Dipper.]

My name's, uh....Dipper. Dipper Pines.

[shark_pup]

Dipper?

[...well not like he can judge names]

Got it.

[Totodile waddles up to Deerling to say hi!]

[pinevestigator]

[The Deerling lowers her head, sniffing at the Totodile curiously. Well you're definitely a wet thing, aren't you? Sniff sniff...and her next course of action is to cautiously lick the top of his head because tasting things is the best way to investigate, clearly.]

So wait...you want to go all the way back to New Bark?

[After he just came from there?]

[shark_pup]

[Totodile gurlges happily... and lightly chomps on her poor muzzle. Not hard, probably doesn't even hurt. But that's a lot of teeth]

Well, you think she might be somewhere else?

[pinevestigator]

Well I-

[!!!!!!

The Deerling squeaks loudly and jumps back like she's been electrocuted, mostly from the shock of her entire nose being momentarily swallowed by jaws lined with rows and rows of teeth.

She skitters behind Dipper's legs quickly, squeaking and bleating softly the whole way.]

...what happened there?...

[shark_pup]

[Totodile looks distressed and looks up at his trainer unhappily]

Haha... yeah he like putting things in his mouth, sorry about that.

[He picks the pokemon up, who at once latches onto his arm with his jaws]

It doesn't hurt...

[pinevestigator]

...It doesn't?

[If Dipper sounds skeptical, it's because he is, because how does that not hurt.]

[shark_pup]

Nope! See?

[He reaches down and peels back Totodile's lip, so Dipper can see where he's holding on. The teeth aren't breaking skin, and in fact barely denting it]

He's actually really soft-mouthed!

[pinevestigator]

Huh....I guess he just scared her, then...

[Said in reference to the Deerling, who is peeking out nervously from behind her trainer now.]