<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/rfqXdUk.png)</div><hr/><hr/><br/>Emma would give an insincere smile to each NPC she spoke with. She was both hungry for information and eager to end each conversation - an unhealthy mix that caused her anxiety to build up. She didn't feel like she was getting anywhere productive. Instead, she felt as if precious time was being wasted. Her rival was nowhere to be seen<em>and</em>she had the advantage of repeated game plays. How was she going to catch up!?<br/><br/><strong>"C'mon Emma, what to do?"</strong>she said, trying to rally herself. If she spoke to another NPC, she was likely to rip her hair out in frustration. There was something eerie about the town and its inhabitants. She felt as if their fate was cruel; stuck in a glitchy loop, waiting for someone to finally beat the game. It would have been a greater mercy to just pull the plug.<br/><br/><em><strong>'Snap out of it!'</strong></em>she thought angrily.<strong><em>'One of those seats is <em>going</em> to be mine!'</em></strong>Building her own resolve, she headed towards Route 1. At least on the road she would feel as if she had started her adventure. The steps that had started so quickly slowed as she neared the edge of town. Going alone seemed daunting. She turned back, embarrassment and hesitation causing her resolve to crumble.<br/><br/><strong>"H-hey!"</strong>she called out to one of the Trainers* who was wandering just as aimlessly as she was.<strong>"Have you played before?"</strong>Human contact seemed friendly just about now.<br/><br/><hr/><hr/><br/>*Open to anyone. More than one also welcome.<br/><br/>