ratherbelocky | .007 Δ [Audio]

You know, I never thought I'd be that guy, but I guess I'm that guy.

[He is the Jewish guy. It's him.]

Back home, the past week or so would've been a holiday for some people. I'm not gonna get into the whole story--well, unless you want me to and you've got some time--but the short of it's that it's a celebration of freedom, and of the end of generations of oppression, death, and slavery.

[That is, hag pesach sameach, Route. Happy Passover.]

Now, there are a lot of traditions that go along with the holiday, most of 'em about food, but the important one's the retelling of that story. Figured I'd open it up to everyone, though, especially now that the big sit-down dinner parts of the celebration are over.

What I mean is, you guys got any stories you want to share about...deliverance, I guess? Of getting free from something that was bringing you down, or worse. I know turning up here in Johto's been a huge breath of fresh air for me, personally, and I want to know about you all, too.

[Later, another text comes from that 'Nathaniel' character.]

Hey, all. After a few weeks of testing out how it works, I'm happy to say EXCH△NGE is completely up and open to anyone who needs to talk.

EXCH△NGE is an anonymous, text-based peer-to-peer support network created as a space for those seeking help, but who are unwilling to reveal their identities, to have safe, understanding conversations from likewise anonymous volunteers. The idea is to provide a listening ear and coping tips from other transplants to Kanto and Johto who may have gone through similar experiences, come from similar worlds, or share other common ground, so that no one feels that they have to deal with their burdens alone.

For more information, you can read the introduction here. If you'd like to volunteer or you want to be paired with one of our volunteers, please contact me here.

Have a good one, guys. Nathaniel out.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It would be nice if Pokemon came with seat belts. I've been here for...hmm. Four years I guess?

Nice! Long time to be in paradise. The Garden of PokéEden doesn't get old, does it?

Not really. I seem to always be learning about a new Pokemon or a new place and when that isn't happening, the friends I've made are always up to something.

Really does sound idyllic. Like a kid's cartoon, you know? I still wake up some mornings convinced I'm just having one hell of a long dream.

_{[There's something like a soft chuckle from the other end of the line. OH IF ONLY YOU KNEW, YORK.]}

Something like that...but that's the sad part of it. Eventually someone close to you is going to wake up.

I know. Maybe it's 'cause I'm still new, relatively speaking, but for me...I still think of it as time I wouldn'ta had otherwise.

Yeah...glad you got to come and see this place though. I didn't think anywhere with people could be so green.

Can't say I'm used to it myself. Coming from what's apparently the future to most people can do that. Where you from, man?

A place called New England. It's cold.

Ah, the frigid North. I happen to be a Texan, originally, but I'm pretty familiar with most of the States in a theoretical way.