Experiment 1 [video]

[imperfectscientist]

 [The man that appears on the screen is dark-skinned with thick hair, touched by gray at the temples. He’s currently looking at the screen with a quizzical brow.]

Hello? I’ve not seen a device quite like this one before, but I think this is some sort of communication system. If I’ve managed to reach anyone, um, hello! My name is Carlos, Carlos the scientist! [He smiles wide, revealing straight rows of white teeth.] Last I checked I had just become trapped in another world….but this is decidedly not the world I was trapped in, so I’m not quite certain what happened. There’s any number of things that could have happened, of course, scientifically speaking, but unfortunately, I’m rather limited in my means of collecting data, since I don’t seem to have any of my instruments with me. [He turns out the pockets of the labcoat he’s wearing, revealing only some lavender-flavored gum and a pocket notebook.] So, I’ll continue to investigate as much as I can, but if anyone has any scientific instruments I can make use of or some information for me, that would be really helpful!

In any case, I do know that I’m not alone in this world, since I encountered a woman who was very confused and thought I was her son. I can’t seem to get back into the house to ask her any questions though, which is a shame. Maybe that house is this world’s version of the House that Does Not Exist?

I’ve also discovered this very interesting fauna which seems to have taken a liking to me! [He pans the camera over to show an image of a Mareep who has lain down quite contentedly next to Carlos’ feet.] Oh, if only I had my instruments, but it seems he’s some sort of natural conductor of electricity! It’s extremely scientifically fascinating! I’m calling him Tesla. [Tesla bleats happily from Carlos' feet.] He is so cool! 

[Carlos moves the screen to face him again.] Oh geez, I was rambling again, wasn't it? There’s just so much to see and I’d really like to explore! But there’s something important I have to say first.

I’m trying to get back to a place called Night Vale. There’s someone really important there and I promised I’d get back to him. …And now I seem to have lost my only means of contacting him, that is, my cell phone. [At least, he hadn’t found his cell phone when he turned out his lab coat.] On the off chance that anyone knows how to get back to Night Vale or has even heard of it, please, let me know. In the meantime, if anyone has need of a scientist, or has some interesting scientific phenomena to report, I’m your scientist!

Comments

[defyingfrigidity]

... Huh. I never thought of it that way.

[Granted, her interest is more into things like ancient myths and architecture, so there's probably a better term for someone with a big interest in those things.]

I know this may sound bizarre, but the culture here revolves a lot around competing in battles with our Pokemon partners. The pokemon enjoy testing their strength against one another, and if you can best a wild opponent, they'll agree to join you.

Or, if you prefer less violent methods, there are always people out there who sell or give away the eggs of pairs they breed, and you can raise them from the time they're born. That's how I got a few of mine.

[imperfectscientist]

Which way do you think of it?

[Carlos has heard some very bizarre things in his life. This is...unexpected, but certainly not as bad as finding out time wasn't real in Night Vale and all the clocks were filled with gray blobs growing hair.]

Interesting. Is that...humane? I mean, you say the Pokemon like it, but how exactly do you know?

[defyingfrigidity]

The term "scientist" always just seemed like a title given to people who study things like biology. Or nature. Things such as that. Not stories or history, which is what I'm most interested in.

[She notices his confusion, and laughs a little. Boy, was she weirded out by the whole battling thing too...]

Pokemon are more intelligent than they appear to be. Much more than normal animals where you and I come from, I wager.

[As if to prove a point, Elsa's Froslass looks up from where she'd been making tiny snow flurries with her Snover and makes a noise of agreement, nodding for emphasis.]

If they don't like something, they'll be sure to let you know. You just have to listen.

[imperfectscientist]

Well you're not wrong about that, but science is way bigger than that! I mean, think about the early scientists, who knew even less than we do about our universe! They didn't have any of the fancy machinery, they didn't know about things we take for granted, like DNA! Those first scientists were all about understanding history and trying to find validity in stories. Science is a lot of things, I think.

Oh! [He waves at the Froslass, looking a little stunned, but no less delighted.] Well, I'll keep that in mind. So far, mine has been perfectly content to follow me around, but then, we haven't encountered any other Pokemon yet.

[defyingfrigidity]

... So it all just boils down to how to making "the unknown" known, then.

[Right. It does make sense. Perhaps that means that, one day, her magic could be considered science. Interesting...]

Oh, there are plenty of pokemon like that. None of mine dislike fighting, for example, but several of them are perfectly content with staying on the sidelines and only doing enough to help them keep growing.

[imperfectscientist]

Essentially! Although it's hard to really know anything! We're pretty sure our theories are correct but who is to say we're not wrong? It's exciting, really!

Good to know. I guess they have preferences just like people. [He smiles.] I'm really looking forward to learning about all kinds of Pokemon. Apparently there's a lot to know!

[defyingfrigidity]

"A lot" is an understatement. [She laughs.] I've been here for almost half a year now, and I still feel like I know barely anything. But the people here are more than willing to help you learn, so it's not so bad.

[imperfectscientist]

Six months, huh? That's a long time. [He remembers what it was like after six months in Night Vale....at that time, he was still feeling confused, overwhelmed, and very much out of place. He can relate.] If it helps, it does get better, being in a strange place. Eventually, you'll find something to love about it, and you'll understand it a little better, and it'll just feel like home, someday, and you won't even realize it until you have to leave. You know?

I'm glad you found the people here helpful! I find them helpful too! It'll be a lot easier to get data when I'm not learning things all by myself!