Joker

-sure it's workin'? Ah, there it is!

[A Mime Jr. sounds off triumphantly.]

This is Joker! And Angel, a course. [A chuckle.] If ya need ta chat with me, I'll answer soon as I can.

[Joker's been meaning to make a video like this for a while, with the second anniversary coming up as it is... But recent news makes it had. He delays, just a little bit, until he can finally appear on the screen with his usual wide showman's smile.]

[It's a mask he's very good at wearing.]

Hello again, one and all! For those I've not yet had the pleasure ta meet, I'm Joker, ringleader of the Eve's Garden Circus here in Goldenrod!

As much as I'd love ta simply chat and the like, I'm afraid this is more business than anythin' else. Ya see, the circus is lookin' a bit empty as of late, and we need more folks ta fill it up again! That is, ta say, we are currently hirin' for any willin' parties!

Of course, performers are the ones we're lookin' out for the most right now! As I make this vidoe, we currently have an air show, a strongman, a trapeze artist, and a clown in employment! We'll gladly take in back ups for any a those positions, of course, but we're definitely eager for new talents ta be on display!

Performers aren't the only positions we're lookin' ta fill. If yer any good with technology, stage equipment, or fixin' up folks who did things like, oh... fall off a high place and break their arm, then we're interested in havin' ya!

Ya get pay for the work ya do, and there are places ta stay on the circus grounds if ya would like ta save money. Contact me, and we can work everythin' out. I can even train ya in a few things, if yer interested but don't have any performin' skills.

Additionally, for anyone who does crafts and the like, there are always stalls available ta set ya up at on the grounds!

Aaaaaand that's all, I should think! [The ringleader glances down to his side, where a small Mime Jr. is sitting on a tall stool. She looks back up to him, and something unsaid seems exchanged. Joker clears his throat.]

Additionally, if anyone has found themselves in possession of Miss Ilya's Pokemon, please let us know. Thank ya kindly.

[To those perhaps familiar with Kanto, the camera opens up onto a view of none other than the beginning of Bicycle Road. Joker is posed on one of its namesakes, in fact, his one hand on the handlebars and his feet firmly on the ground. He's beaming at the Gear.]

There ya go, Elsie, perfect!

So we're gettin' closer ta Fuchsia now, after we met up with that Erika! Nice girl, by the by, took things in stride. Probably seen it all before, y'know how it is.

Anyway! There's a real long way ta the next city, but, as it turns out, there's this real handy road that takes ya there much quicker! S'just that ya can't use yer Pokemon or anythin' on it. Gotta use a bike. [He pats said bike proudly.]

Now, uh, I've never actually used one a these, won't be dishonest about it. But ey, I've ridden all manner a Pokemon while here, so how hard can it be? Ya just gotta- balance and the like-

[Way more wobbly than is in any way reassuring, Joker pushes off... right down a hill...]

[...Yeah, he's immediately falling off and crashing down the whole damn thing. Yelping, clanging, swearing- Elsie the Pyroar, the current cameralion of the day, jolts forward after him. In the chaos, one of her teeth nudges the Gear off.]

[SO THAT CERTAINLY HAPPENED.]

[He probably shouldn't have done this while it was raining.]

[For once, there's not a smile on Joker's face. It's a rather... disconcerting effect, considering how he usually is.]

So, for folks that don't already know- our lad Wrath is missin'. He's one a the younger folks around here, with messy black hair that goes 'bout his waist and purple eyes. Teeth like a beartrap.

If ya find 'im, or 'ave an idea of where he is, or saw anythin' suspicious, lemme know. There's a reward of 4200P for anybody who can get 'im back ta us safe and sound. And so help me, if anyone did anythin' ta that boy...

[There's a moment where he seems to struggle with himself before he lets out a breath, letting his expression go down a tone to "not very happy" instead of "I will definitely break someone's legs".]

So! There's that. This is also a reminder that Halloween is next month, and Eve's Garden Circus is always lookin' for workers especially now that we'll have a haunted house that needs ta be manned. If yer not afraid of crowds, then we could always use more performers. Contact me if ya think ya 'ave any special talents or want ta learn any, and we'll talk.

We 'ave plenty a jobs for others, such as sellin' tickets, takin' care a the lights and such, anyone who can path folks up, and mannin' stalls. If ya 'ave a business of yer own, we can set ya up on the grounds.

The haunted house itself needs people ta take care a things up front, makeup and costumes, and, a course, anyone who's interested in givin' folks a good scare inside.

This ain't just for people, too. Pokemon are free ta work with us as well. If ya need help gettin' ta Goldenrod, let me know, and I'll help ya get here.

[Joker taps his fingers on his hip for a moment before taking in a deep breath, his shoulders slumping.]

And seriously... Let us know if ya see Wrath.

Angel- y'bloody nuisance ta society, I told ya ta wait until after-

[There's an exasperated sigh followed by a fond chuckle as the video shakes before it's adjusted appropriately. The view is Joker's room and the ringleader in question is actually dressed rather casually for once. A t-shirt and jeans for once, none of his usual makeup... And is his hair actually slick with dark hair dye that a Gardevoir seems to be fussing over?]

[Well. At least Joker seems amused as he shakes his head and Angel the Mime Jr. bounces into frame besides him.]

Cheeky lil' thing. Anyway! Ladies, gentleman, and every other manner a folk that have found themselves in this delightful place...

The Eve's Garden Circus is comin' upon its one year anniversary! That means this month's shows will be even bigger and grander than ever before~. I even have plans ta have fireworks go off during the night, plus a little somethin' extra. Call it... a game a hide and seek, if ya like.

I'll be attachin' some things ta my Litleo and let 'em loose throughout the circus grounds. If ya can catch one, or at least get the prize off their collar, then you'll get a prize! With a few grand prizes, too, if yer lucky. [He gives a wink.] For anyone who works for me, ya can give it a shot too. Wouldn't want ya ta miss out on the fun.

[Stretching his arms over his head, Joker laughs.]

I wanted ta make this a more official sorta announcement, instead a y'all seein' me like this- [He gestures vaguely to his hair situation, the Gardevoir batting away his fingers before they can touch the dye.] -but Angel didn't 'ave the patience ta wait.

Anyway, I'm bein' bullied ta take care a this, so I'll let Invidia handle one last piece a business.

[And the Gardevoir gently pushes her trainer along out of the frame. Sure enough, there's another person taking Joker's place- anyone familiar with his Zoroark can tell it's Invidia using his preferred human illusion.]

Ah... Ahem. For the following, you're cordially invited to an after-show dinner on Eve's Garden's anniversary: Jimmy Two-Shoes, Wrath, Chihiro Fujisaki, Ronald Knox, William T. Spears, Snake, Tensai, Maka Albarn, Denzel Crocker, Jack Skellington, Riku, Ilyasviel von Einzbern, Tobias, Jimmy Darling, France, the Okumura brothers, Miss Meridiana Everett, Yasuhiro Hagakure, Veronica Madaraki, Envy, Lust, Molly Walker, and Killua Zoldyk. [That sure is a list.] You may bring guests, if you like.

Ah, and for regular visitors to the circus... As a reminder, there is a transportation system we employ which you can buy the services of as a one way stop to Goldenrod, where Eve's Garden Circus is located, or two way to return you to the city that you were in previously. And if you are interested in a job as a backstage helper or performer, please don't be afraid to contact us.

That's all... Thank you for listening!

Angel, c'mon, think yer takin' it a bit too far...

[Angel the Mime Jr clearly disagrees, because she seems quite proud of herself as she finishes adjusting the camera and steps to the side. Joker has been forced to sit in the middle of his room with a sign hanging around his neck.]

[It reads thus: ]

I TOLD MY POKEMON NOT TO CHEAT IN A CASINO
AND THEN CHEATED MYSELF

...So, me and Jimmy aren't allowed in the hotel in Violet anymore.

[Joker says it with a bit of a grin on his face as he's seated outside near Sprout Tower as it's night time. There are still probably hundreds of Noibat flapping around. There's at least a dozen attached to him and Angel the Mime Jr who's sitting next to him.]

Guess yer not allowed ta hundred bats or so in yer hotel rooms.

...Or spillin' out inta the hallways.

...Or gettin' inta the coffee pot although that wasn't on purpose.

Lesson for us all, innit?

Mornin', folks. Don't suppose ya would mind entertainin' a couple questions?

[Joker is on what some might recognize as Route 39, not too far from Olivine itself. He's sitting on the ground crosslegged, a Phanpy in his lap. For some reason, he's moving a finger slowly in front of the Pokemon's face. The Phanpy doesn't react, although her ears do twitch everytime he speaks. Not too far from him is Joker's Zoroark, cradling an egg in his own lap and seeming strangely concerned. Even the Ringleader himself seems a bit subdued, lost in whatever he's doing.]

A friend a mine and I were wonderin' about the kind of Pokemon that were most popular, least, and just tend ta get forgotten around here.

So! What're yer favorite Pokemon, either by looks or by skills? What are the kinds ya just plain can't stand? And finally, what Pokemon do ya think tend ta get forgotten?

It'll be fun ta hear what ya have ta say.

[For a moment longer after he finishes speaking, he keeps moving his hand about the Phanpy's head and even makes a sudden jabbing gesture in her direction although he doesn't actually touch her. Still no response. Finally he looks to his Zoroark.]

I think ya may be right. Ha, I wonder if this is what that letter meant?