one; video in New Bark Town

[notvaljean]

Okay, seriously, this is just stupid.

[For someone who had never seen a camera or a video until a couple of hours ago, Jean has taken to both rather quickly. He always did enjoy fooling around with things and learning about them through experimentation, and while the angle of the camera is distinctly unflattering—somehow stretching his long face out even longer while simultaneously giving him six chins—the sheer indignation in his eyes comes across perfectly.]

Everyone else gets something cute, or useful, or sweet or whatever. And I get this.

[The camera swings around, jittering wildly out of control for a moment, and then focuses on a round, red and white ball with glaring eyes. The ball’s eyes narrow further when it realizes the camera is on it, and it lunges forward with a crackling sound. Jean yelps and jumps backwards, making the camera swing wildly for a moment.]

See! He’s crazy!

[The Voltorb crackles ominously but doesn’t try to come any closer, watching Jean from where it hovers.]

So how am I supposed to make friends with this thing? Because that’s what we’re supposed to do, right? Make friends with them?

[Jean sounds almost condescending about the idea of befriending the Pokemon. Anyone listening very closely might notice how his voice is trembling the tiniest bit, betraying all his uncertainty that he will vehemently deny if he gets called out on it. His hand stretches into view, pale with callouses across the palm, and he extends it towards the Voltorb.]

You want to be friends, asshole?

[The Voltorb lunges forward again, and the camera falls to the ground, pointing upwards towards the sky, capturing cheery blue and recording the sounds of electricity crackling and Jean shouting.]

Ow! OUCH! You dick, what was that for?!

Comments

[Several hours in the past but not too many and also in person]

[schachmeister]

[Dazed and confused might be the best way to describe how Armin is feeling. The last few hours --day?-- have felt like a rush. The expedition outside of the walls, the appearance of the Female Titan and the encounter in the forest, the moment of near victory and then defeat, and finally their homecoming. It has been one of those days that feels like it should have been a week.

And now this.

Armin doesn't think he is hallucinating. Or dreaming. He reaches up to brush his fingers through his hair, pain pinching his face when he brushes over the injury he had sustained during their expedition. No, dreams didn't hurt. Neither did hallucinations. But then what was this place? He remembers the last few hours as mostly a blur; returning to base, getting his injury checked out, washing the blood off his face and hair and finally falling into an exhausted sleep in a bunk --probably his but he isn't actually certain of that-- and now this.

The town is odd, like none he has ever seen before. There is something odd about the people too, and it takes Armin a while to put his finger on it: there is nothing drawn about their faces, nothing to tense their shoulders or burden their steps. The people within the walls haven't looked like that in years, not since the Colossal and Armoured titan took down Wall Maria. It is something he remembers from his childhood --and maybe that sort of carefree nature still exists somewhere deep within Wall Sina-- but it is nothing he has seen recently. He replays the little conversation he had had with the woman who had shooed him out of her house --'Good luck on your journey, dear!'-- but that didn't exactly answer any questions. Neither had she, for that matter.

With a small frown, Armin starts to walk. He doesn't have a goal in mind, not really, but he also won't understand his situation any better just standing around. Where was he? Why was he here? And more importantly, where were the others? Mikasa, Eren... where they here too or--

A small tug on the back of his slacks makes him pause in his steps and he glances down. A small owl --though unlike any Armin has ever seen or read about-- hoots cheerfully up at him, ruffling its feathers. Somehow it looks... expectant. Jubilant.

He does not have the time for this.

He starts to walk again, ignoring the bird still hopping after his heels --normally it'd make him curious, but right now, it is very down on a long list of things Armin wants answers too-- until he finally spots something familiar and it jogs his heart.]

Jean!

[If it turns out he shouted at some stranger, Armin is going to end up feeling pretty damn embarrassed, but he's pretty confident there's only one guy in the world with that hair cut.]

Video

[dreamsofahero]

My, yours does seem to be rather a handful...

*he almost feels sorry for the poor new guy*

[islandshore]

Make friends, battle, win badges, go on an epic quest...

[He shrugs and looks away for a moment, trying not to laugh, but... wow. Not every day you see a voltorb starter.]

All joking aside, though... be careful. Voltorbs are known for sudden explosions.

[questionmarksthespot]

...Did you just get one of the Pokèballs, only alive and really angry?

[Is that a thing that can happen? Cause that seems weird, even for this place.]

[thatwasours]

[finally, someone else got stuck with the same problem as him. when Kaz turns on the video feed, he looks entirely too amused, with a leashed, angry-looking Houndoom at his feet.]

Are there rubber gloves in that bag you got? Try those.

video;

[secondhandsome]

Wow, that... that thing does not look like it should be alive. Then again, neither does mine...

But uh. Maybe try not insulting it. That might help. Crazy idea, I know.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

_{[Oh, wow. She's never actually seen one of those things float before. That's kind of terrifying.]}

... Just be glad it's not exploding.

[video]

[abstounding]

[Vaughn's never seen a Pokemon like that, but he figures it can't be that different from the rest.]

Have you tried being nice to it? No sarcasm or name calling?

[Okay, but enough with the Dad voice. He turns the Gear in his hands and sets the camera onto a... floating rock with arms.]

They're really not all sunshine and rainbows. Some take longer to warm up, like Buffy here. She tried to break every bone in my body when we met. You just have to be patient with 'em. Actually... patient.