Ninhursag

I enter an unmarked building and find some people who talk about pokemon. These creatures are all that matter to anyone in this world, it would seem. So why isn't everyone a trainer? And are pokemon the only animals besides humans here? What's the difference between us and them? A boy in a blue cap claims that pokemon can sometimes "evolve" when they become stronger. Is that another term for leveling up here? A woman tells me, "Evolution makes Pokemon just that much more fascinating." I couldn't agree more. The diverse niches evolution produces, the structures and patterns formed by natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, and such are truly amazing to behold in all life. Pokemon, I'm sure, would not be an exception.

I find a building called the GTS, but there's some lout who refuses to let me pass. I consider having Hanuman light him on fire. Or maybe Apsu could splash at him. But I resist the temptation. In due time. In due time. On the eastern edge of town, some guy mumbles to me surprise at what I can only assume was Slave running like a maniac past him just a few moments ago. Good. Slave went that way. I think he said he was going to. So I will go a different way. I veer off the road and into some condominiums. Maybe I'll learn something about city life?

On the first floor, a woman gives me a quick claw for one of my pokemon to hold. People in the big city sure are generous. I have Sekhmet hold the quick claw. Everyone else in the building talks only of pokemon. I guess that's why it was called the world of pokemon in that dream I had. Forget it. I come across the Poketch Company's building. I guess they can't try to sell me a watch. Haha. Get it? Because I just got one from them for free. Anyway, the people there talk about "apps" for the Poketch. Maybe that's what they will try to sell me? A reporter from Jubilife TV is in the building for some reason, and wants to interview me about the Poketch. She asks me for my thoughts on the digital watch application. I want to say something intelligent, but I guess I'm nervous. All I can find are somewhat random words floating in my head. I don't want to stand there looking like an idiot, so I pick the most suitable word I can. It's "satisfied."That did not go so well.

On the second story there's an old man and a shelf full of pokemon magazines. Not a single non-pokemon magazine among them. Unsurprising. In some ways, perhaps this world is predictable. The third story has several computer monitors, but each one seems to only display information about a single poketch app. I am not interested. I go back to Route 218. Time to battle something. Or not. I would have to cross water to get to Canalave City, and apparently I cannot swim. Strange. I thought I could. I'll fish again.

All the fishing rod catches are more Magikarps. Either that's all that's here, or that's all that will bite. And they aren't much experience for my team. Frustrated, I leave. I encounter a wild pokemon I've never seen before. It's called Budew. I want it. Sekhmet weakens it and I catch it. Only one poke ball left. I'll return to Jubilife City and visit the Poke Mart to buy some more. But first, I must name my new Budew. I shall call her Ninhursag.