An unexpected encounter on the Deutsche Bahn gives MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya one of her best gaming memories.
In a hurry, I get on the train and plop down into the seat with a loud sigh. The world of gaming news, oh what, the whole world can be gone now. I am on vacation.
Sadly, I realize that my seat reservation led me to a large table, but there are still three empty seats around me. I am already annoyed at the thought of having strangers sitting in front of and next to me soon. My journey lasts at least eight hours, and you never know who will join you.
The train starts rolling, the journey begins. I am still alone in my four-seat group. With relief, I unpack the graphic novel I’ve been wanting to read for ages: Watchmen.
Do you like comics?
I have been traveling for a few hours and am engrossed in the story. I barely notice that two passengers have taken a seat across from me.
Suddenly, a small hand reaches for my book. Irritated, I look up and see two large, round, shining eyes: “Do you like comics?”
A boy, maybe just 8 years old, speaks to me in English to ask about my comic.
Somewhat perplexed, I answer his questions about Watchmen. Also in English. Curious, he absorbs everything and gets more and more excited as he starts talking about his favorite comics. His father joins in, and now the three of us enthusiastically discuss comics.
His father explains to me that they come from Australia and moved to Germany for a job. His son is still struggling to get used to his new home, having left his friends behind.
His biggest problem: The boy firmly refuses to learn German. This seems to be a sensitive topic. Because the once cheerful boy sinks into himself, crosses his arms, and looks sadly at the ground with his big eyes.
I feel sorry for him.
I tell the boy that I learned English primarily through video games when I was younger and that’s why I can talk to him now. At the mention of video games, the boy’s face lights up immediately.
What are Pokémon called in German?
Before I know it, the child is sitting next to me, pulling out his phone and proudly showing me his collection in Pokémon GO. I grew up with Pokémon too and have a lot to share. We talk about the pocket monsters, and at some point, the little one is curious about what all his Pokémon are called in German.
I show him which Pokémon I particularly like in his collection and under what names I know them as a German. Some names cause laughter, and he tries to repeat them.
His father looks over with satisfaction. His face says: at least a start.
Eventually, the child finds it too boring and shows me a simple game with cars on his phone. We play that together for a while, trying to push other cars off a platform.
I don’t even know how many hours have passed. We are heading towards the final station of the father and son. They pack their things. The son struggles a bit with the farewell. He asks if his father can’t ask for my number, which causes loud laughter among us adults.
His father says jokingly to his son that mom probably wouldn’t like that. The boy doesn’t really understand our laughter. But he accepts that this will probably be a one-time encounter.
The two get off, and as soon as the train moves again, I wave to them until I can no longer see them. For the rest of the ride, I smile out the window and let my thoughts wander.
I wonder if the boy is playing Pokémon GO in German today?
