022 // Video

[pipers_son]

[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.]

Comments

[Action]

[pipers_son]

I can do it, no worries!

[It's hard to stay still while he's talking, considering that he's an energetic sort, but he's doing his best so that Jimmy has an easier time putting on the bandaids.]

S'just a balancin' act in the end, right?

[Action]

[awesmazings]

Yeah, pretty much! Learning to ride a bike isn't too hard anyway...and they say once you know how, you can't forget!

[Action]

[pipers_son]

Well, that'll be handy, won't it? Especially since I think this path comes up a couple times...

[But he's determined to conquer it. Fight him, Bike Road.]

[Action]

[awesmazings]

[You can do it Joker, he believes in you!

...but he'll just have to remember to pick up more bandaids in the next town over. Just in case.]

Yup! I used to ride bikes all the time back home. Skateboards, too! Makes me wish I had one here, actually...

[Action]

[pipers_son]

Maybe they have skateboards in one a the stores in the bigger cities?

Ain't no reason we can check once we're done with all this.

[Action]

[awesmazings]

[Joker, this is something you probably do not want to enable, but who am I kidding this is Jimmy we're talking about.]

YES please! Oh man, I dunno why I didn't think of lookin' before, but that would be so cool if I could find one!

[Action]

[pipers_son]

Then we'll get a good look at all of 'em when we get back! But for now...

[And he gives a wary look at the cause of his current trouble.]

Bikes.

[Action]

[awesmazings]

Bikes.

[Jimmy echoes, stuffing the wrappers and plastic tabs from the bandages into his pockets to be thrown away later before reaching out to take one handle of the bike, pulling it upright again.]

This'd be a whooole lot easier if we had trainin' wheels, or something...but once you get the hang of balancing on it, I think you'll be okay.

[Action]

[pipers_son]

[With a huff, Joker pushes himself up to his feet.]

Yep! I know I can balance, so there's that. S'just what ta do with the legs that are new.

[Action]

[awesmazings]

You just gotta remember to keep the pedals moving! When the bike's going, it's easier to keep it upright. But...maybe we should stick with the regular route before we try going down hills, yeah?

[Action]

[pipers_son]

Smart idea, very wise, let's go with it.

[He takes the bike back, doing his best to keep it steady with just one hand.]

I'll be lookin' ta ya for guidance on this one, Jims.

[Action]

[awesmazings]

[Please don't die, circus dad.]

You can count on me, Joker! I'll keep a hold on the bike until you feel steady enough to go forward by yourself, if you want!

[Action]

[pipers_son]

Oh yeah, that's a thing ta try, innit? Maybe we can go with that, then...